Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Beirut (Agenzia Fides) – 254 dead and 1,165 injured: this is the provisional toll published by the Lebanese Civil Defense following the multiple and simultaneous air strikes on various Lebanese locations carried out by the Israeli air force yesterday, 8 April.
According to the Civil Defense, the breakdown of casualties is as follows: in Beirut, 92 dead, 742 injured; the southern suburbs of Beirut, 61 dead, 200 injured; Baalbek/Hermel (eastern Lebanon), 27 dead, 34 injured; Nabatieh, 28 dead, 59 injured; Sidon, 12 dead, 56 injured; Tyre: 17 dead, 68 injured.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has declared today, 9 April, a day of national mourning “for the victims of the Israeli attacks, with the closure of government offices and public institutions, as well as municipalities, flags at half-mast and media programs adapted to this national tragedy”.
The attacks, many of which struck the heart of Beirut, sparked scenes of panic in the Lebanese capital during rush hour, especially since they were not given advance warning to the civilian population to seek shelter, as has happened on other occasions.
Burning buildings, charred cars and debris littered the streets of the capital, through which ambulances raced with their sirens blaring. Among the neighbourhoods affected was the one where the American University of Beirut is located.
The Israeli armed forces announced that they had carried out their ‘largest coordinated attack’ against Hezbollah since the start of the war between the United States and Iran. “Within 10 minutes and simultaneously in several areas, Israeli forces attacked around 100 command posts and military infrastructure” belonging to Hezbollah across Lebanon, according to a statement from the IDF (Israel Defense Forces).
The worst attack on Lebanon was thus carried out just hours after the announcement of a ceasefire between Iran, on the one hand, and the United States and Israel on the other, achieved thanks to Pakistan’s mediation, behind which China’s involvement looms large. A result that also appears to be the fruit of pressure from the MAGA (Make America Great Again) wing of the Trump administration, represented by Vice-President Vance, who is seeking to put an end to a conflict seen as a waste of resources. However, according to Israel, the agreement does not concern Lebanon. At present, the ceasefire in the Gulf appears to be holding (although there have been reports of drone attacks launched by Tehran against neighbouring countries), but Iran has announced that it has once again closed the Strait of Hormuz in response to Israeli attacks against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
In Iran, explosions have also been reported within the technical perimeter of the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant; there are also reports of fires in the Mahshahr industrial area, where several Iranian petrochemical plants are concentrated, and explosions have been reported at various facilities linked to the Basij paramilitary force. This is likely the result of sabotage by Israeli and/or American intelligence services. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 9/4/2026)
