How a huge wave of Israeli strikes brought chaos to Lebanon
Israel launched a massive wave of attacks against Lebanon at 14:15 local time on April 8, 2026, just a few hours after US President Donald Trump declared a ceasefire between the US, Israel and Iran to stop conflicts in the Gulf region.
Israel’s announcement that it hit 100 targets in 10 minutes dashed hopes in Lebanon that the suspension of hostilities in Iran would end the violence there as well.
The latest conflict between Israel and Hezbollah (Lebanese militia and political party funded and armed by Iran) began on March 2 after the group fired rockets at Israel; This attack was responded to by large-scale air strikes and a ground invasion of southern Lebanon.
The UN says more than 2,600 people have died in Lebanon since then and about a fifth of the population has been displaced, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health.
BBC correspondent Nawal Al-Maghafi pieces together the events of that day and meets people who lost loved ones during one of the deadliest chapters in the country’s recent history.
