Today in Focus War widens in the Middle East – The Latest
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Mar 3, 2026 Will Christou, Beirut-based journalist who reports on Lebanon and regional conflict for The Guardian. He describes being woken by explosions and civilian displacement in Beirut. He maps where strikes and evacuations are happening. He traces Hezbollah’s history, its ties to Iran, and assesses its current capabilities. He warns about the risk of wider regional escalation.
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Waking Up To War In Beirut
- Will Christou describes being woken at 3am by explosions and instantly realising war had returned to Beirut.
- Streets filled with displaced people on thin mattresses and shelters reopening, mirroring scenes from the previous conflict 18 months earlier.
Targeting Dahye And The South Drives Mass Displacement
- Strikes concentrated on Dahye (Hezbollah stronghold) and the south including the Bekaa Valley, pushing civilians to Beirut and further north.
- Israel has hit over 100 targets in 24 hours and opened shelters downtown as thousands flee northwards to Tripoli and other cities.
Hezbollah's Entry Erodes Local Solidarity
- Public sympathy is weaker this round because Hezbollah initiated strikes in support of Iran after the killing of its leader.
- Many Lebanese, including within Hezbollah's base, feel the group unnecessarily dragged Lebanon back into war and are exhausted.