Chaos and Crisis: Lebanon's Struggle Amidst Bombings and Economic Collapse

Lebanon is grappling with a severe crisis following Israeli bombings on Sidon that left over 100 people dead or trapped. Amidst an ongoing economic meltdown and frail emergency services, rescue teams face insurmountable challenges. The country struggles to provide basic services, and political instability exacerbates the humanitarian catastrophe.

When Israel bombed buildings outside the southern Lebanese city of Sidon, Mohamed Arkadan and his team rushed to an unprecedented emergency.

A dozen apartments collapsed onto a hillside, burying more than 100 people. Even after 17 years with civil defense forces, Arkadan was shocked. By Monday afternoon—24 hours after the bombing—his team had pulled over 40 bodies, including children's, from the rubble. They found 60 survivors.

The sight of children's bodies broke Arkadan's heart, but the lack of necessary equipment pained him more. An economic crisis since 2019 and a massive port explosion in 2020 have left Lebanon struggling to provide basic services. Political divisions have left the country without a president or functioning government, deepening a national sense of abandonment.

(With inputs from agencies.)