Beirut, Lebanon - September 30, 2024

Residents in Beirut are reeling from another airstrike on Monday as the Israeli military has started what it called a limited ground operation in southern Lebanon.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Tuesday that they have begun "limited, localized and targeted ground raids" in several villages near the border in southern Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah's infrastructures and positions.

Hezbollah will continue to defend Lebanon and support Gaza despite losing its Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah and many commanders, said Sheikh Naim Qassem, deputy leader of the group, on Monday, during his first televised speech following Nasrallah's assassination by Israel.

Qassem emphasized that Hezbollah will select a new secretary general as soon as possible, vowing that if Israel initiates a ground operation in Lebanon, the fighters of the Islamic Resistance will confront it and defend Lebanon.

Since last Monday, Israel has intensified airstrikes across Lebanon, culminating in a significant strike on Friday in the southern suburbs of Beirut that killed Nasrallah and many of his companions.

Another strike on early Monday hit an apartment building in the Kola District of Beirut. Mohammed, one of the witnesses, said he felt the ground shake, recalling that the echo was intense that night.

Residents are voicing strong opposition to attacks against civilians.

As Beirut recovers from the airstrike, tension lingers in the city. Both sides are preparing for further conflict. Meanwhile, Beirut's residents are left picking up the pieces, unsure of what lies ahead.

Shotlist:
Beirut, Lebanon - Sept 30, 2024:
1. Various of street view, damaged building;
2. Airstrike witness Mohammed talking to CGTN;
3. Street view, security guards, cordon;
4. Various of damaged cars;
5. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Imad, resident (full name not given):
"May God protect everyone. At this point, I don't know what to think. They don't have any red lines, nothing is off-limits for them, whether it's military or civilian, it makes no difference to them. They're an enemy without red lines or limits. They have no sense of morality. Civilians shouldn't be targeted.";
6. Various of cordon around damaged building, security guards.

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