The air was heavy with dust, the devastation evident where residential buildings once stood. An unannounced Israeli strike obliterated homes close to Rafik Hariri University Hospital, Lebanon's largest public health facility, leaving catastrophe in its wake. As dawn broke, rescue teams tirelessly sifted through the debris to retrieve bodies, while relatives gathered in suspense, hoping for any sign of their loved ones.

Amidst the chaos, Mpsati Mi, a 30-year-old Ethiopian national, reflected on the emotional toll of the disaster as she searched for her friend, Aamal. “We’re hearing his phone ringing. It keeps ringing under the rubble,” she lamented. The haunting sound symbolizes the profound loss felt in the community.

Ahmad Kalash, a Syrian resident, joined the mournful throng, having visited nearby hospitals in a bid to locate his missing friend, Hussein. “I’m waiting to hear anything from the rescuers,” he said, embodying the helplessness experienced by many in the area.

The scene was one of utter despair, with injured civilians being treated and bodies recovered from beneath the wreckage. As search efforts continued, residents remained on high alert, clinging to the hope of reuniting with family members and friends caught in the calamity.