Smoke rises over ancient Roman ruins in Lebanon's Baalbek city following an Israeli air strike on October 31. AFP
Smoke rises over ancient Roman ruins in Lebanon's Baalbek city following an Israeli air strike on October 31. AFP
Smoke rises over ancient Roman ruins in Lebanon's Baalbek city following an Israeli air strike on October 31. AFP
Smoke rises over ancient Roman ruins in Lebanon's Baalbek city following an Israeli air strike on October 31. AFP

Israeli army strikes Lebanon's historic city of Baalbek after issuing new eviction orders


Nada Maucourant Atallah
  • English
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Several air strikes hit Baalbek in eastern Lebanon on Sunday, after the Israeli military issued eviction orders for parts of the historical city and a neighbouring village. The Israeli strikes in Baalbek and Douris destroyed or damaged many buildings, including a restaurant located just metres from the Baalbek Government Hospital, Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA) reported.

Lebanon's health ministry said the hospital, “which is currently crowded with patients and wounded individuals”, was also damaged in the attack, which it condemned as a breach of international and humanitarian laws. Abbas Shoker, the director of Baalbek Governmental Hospital said the damage was minor. “We expect to replace the shattered glass within 24 hours, and our operations will not be disrupted. We are fully prepared,” he said.

The warning to residents of Baalbek and Douris was the third issued for the area by Israeli army spokesman Avichay Adraee since Wednesday, but the first to mention specific buildings. It identified four structures in Baalbek, including one near the city's main hospital and Dar Baalbek school, and one building in Douris.

Israel has dramatically escalated its air strikes on Baalbek and other parts of Lebanon's Bekaa Valley this week, killing more than 150 people. On Wednesday, it issued a citywide bombing alert for Baalbek – a Unesco World Heritage Site renowned for its 3,000-year-old Roman temples, among the best-preserved in the world – and surrounding areas. It was the first time the Israeli military has issued a displacement order for an entire city since it escalated its attacks on Lebanon in late September.

But the strikes in the Bekaa Valley have also hit outside the designated zones. An attack on Bednayel, an area near Baalbek not covered by the warnings, killed eight people including two children on Wednesday.

The Israeli army has issued eviction orders for dozens of villages in southern Lebanon, urging residents to leave immediately. According to the UN, these warnings covered a quarter of Lebanon’s territory – an assessment made before the Baalbek bombing notices were issued. Since then, tens of thousands of people have fled the area. Human rights group Amnesty International has raised concerns over these “evacuation orders” and potential mass forced displacements.

Israel says it is targeting Hezbollah, the Lebanese political and armed group which holds sway over parts of the Bekaa Valley. Intensified attacks in the area and neighbouring Syria suggest an effort to sever the group's supply route for weapons. However, civilians are bearing the brunt of the attacks. Bashir Khodor, the governor of Baalbek-Hermel, said that more than two thirds of the 67 people killed in attacks on the governorate on October 28 were women and children.

The National visited Baalbek district three times this week, speaking with several civilian victims, including children in hospitals, affected by the rising violence.

Biography

Favourite book: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

Holiday choice: Anything Disney-related

Proudest achievement: Receiving a presidential award for foreign services.

Family: Wife and three children.

Like motto: You always get what you ask for, the universe listens.

THE CLOWN OF GAZA

Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah 

Starring: Alaa Meqdad

Rating: 4/5

START-UPS%20IN%20BATCH%204%20OF%20SANABIL%20500'S%20ACCELERATOR%20PROGRAMME
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Pros%20and%20cons%20of%20BNPL
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Gran Gala del Calcio 2019 winners

Best Player: Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus)
Best Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini (Atalanta)
Best Referee: Gianluca Rocchi
Best Goal: Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria vs Napoli)
Best Team: Atalanta​​​​​​​
Best XI: Samir Handanovic (Inter); Aleksandar Kolarov (Roma), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli), Joao Cancelo (Juventus*); Miralem Pjanic (Juventus), Josip Ilicic (Atalanta), Nicolo Barella (Cagliari*); Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria), Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus), Duvan Zapata (Atalanta)
Serie B Best Young Player: Sandro Tonali (Brescia)
Best Women’s Goal: Thaisa (Milan vs Juventus)
Best Women’s Player: Manuela Giugliano (Milan)
Best Women’s XI: Laura Giuliani (Milan); Alia Guagni (Fiorentina), Sara Gama (Juventus), Cecilia Salvai (Juventus), Elisa Bartoli (Roma); Aurora Galli (Juventus), Manuela Giugliano (Roma), Valentina Cernoia (Juventus); Valentina Giacinti (Milan), Ilaria Mauro (Fiorentina), Barbara Bonansea (Juventus)

While you're here
if you go

The flights

Etihad flies direct from Abu Dhabi to San Francisco from Dh5,760 return including taxes. 

The car

Etihad Guest members get a 10 per cent worldwide discount when booking with Hertz, as well as earning miles on their rentals (more at www.hertz.com/etihad). A week's car hire costs from Dh1,500 including taxes.

The hotels

Along the route, Motel 6 (www.motel6.com) offers good value and comfort, with rooms from $55 (Dh202) per night including taxes. In Portland, the Jupiter Hotel (https://jupiterhotel.com/) has rooms from $165 (Dh606) per night including taxes. The Society Hotel https://thesocietyhotel.com/ has rooms from $130 (Dh478) per night including taxes. 

More info

To keep up with constant developments in Portland, visit www.travelportland.com

 

if you go

The flights
Emirates flies to Delhi with fares starting from around Dh760 return, while Etihad fares cost about Dh783 return. From Delhi, there are connecting flights to Lucknow. 
Where to stay
It is advisable to stay in Lucknow and make a day trip to Kannauj. A stay at the Lebua Lucknow hotel, a traditional Lucknowi mansion, is recommended. Prices start from Dh300 per night (excluding taxes). 

The specs: Volvo XC40

Price: base / as tested: Dh185,000

Engine: 2.0-litre, turbocharged in-line four-cylinder

Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic

Power: 250hp @ 5,500rpm

Torque: 350Nm @ 1,500rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 10.4L / 100km

Updated: November 03, 2024, 6:21 PM