Families demand justice on Beirut port blast's third anniversary amid violence
On the third anniversary of the Beirut port blast, families demanded justice as ongoing violence in southern Lebanon, intensified by conflict with Israel, has left communities devastated and facing a…
Families of the victims of the 2020 Beirut port explosion gathered on August 4 to mark the third anniversary of the tragedy, which killed over 200 people. They stood outside the site of the blast, demanding justice and accountability from Lebanese authorities. Despite a change in leadership that promised to support an independent investigation, no progress has been made in addressing the circumstances surrounding the explosion, which involved improperly stored ammonium nitrate.
This year’s memorial was overshadowed by ongoing violence and destruction in southern Lebanon. In Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh, a small town recently devastated by Israeli airstrikes and shelling amid renewed conflict with Hezbollah, the community is grappling with the aftermath of weeks of bombardment. Residents there have been forced into displacement and despair, struggling to rebuild their lives while facing the remnants of war.
The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah escalated significantly in October 2023, with multiple intensifications since then. The latest round of violence has left the town in ruins, with many homes rendered uninhabitable. One elderly resident expressed his deep sorrow, saying, “I feel humiliated,” as he sifted through the debris of what was once his home. The economic situation in Lebanon, already dire due to the financial collapse in 2019, has worsened. Many residents cannot access their savings, and the reconstruction costs from the recent escalation are estimated to reach $20 billion—a figure officials warn may be conservative.
As the violence continues, many regions remain inaccessible due to ongoing military operations. Basic services have collapsed, and the community faces a humanitarian crisis, with homes destroyed and vital infrastructure in ruins. With no immediate resolution to the conflict in sight, the plight of the people in southern Lebanon serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing toll of war, overshadowing the calls for justice in Beirut.
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