Beirut Residents Fear Wider War as Netanyahu Prepares UN Address
Beirut residents voice growing fear of another escalation in the Israel-Hezbollah war, pointing to Israeli operations in the south and upcoming Israeli elections.
Residents of Beirut are expressing mounting unease about the prospect of a fresh escalation in the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, with several saying they expect the coming weeks to bring intensified hostilities.
The concerns were voiced on Thursday, shortly before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was due to address the United Nations General Assembly. Many in the Lebanese capital see the speech as a moment that could shape what comes next.
Naeem Saleh, a newspaper vendor in Beirut, said the fear felt in Lebanon is not confined to the south, where Israeli military operations have continued. He described a sense of apprehension that stretches across the country.
Saleh said the ongoing campaign and the destruction it leaves behind could push residents from their homes and deepen displacement. "The destruction they are causing is turning the land into scorched earth. I mean, there is an occupation," he said.
He also argued that Netanyahu uses international platforms to present himself as a defender of his people, particularly with elections approaching, and warned that the Israeli leader should not be expected to show restraint.
Another Beirut resident, Boutros Matar, said an escalation is likely, pointing to Israel's upcoming elections as a factor. He said the war in Lebanon is tied to that political calendar, and that while Israeli aggression persists regardless of elections, the coming period could bring a sharper increase in hostilities.
Ezzat Kraytem, also a Beirut resident, said there is little predictability in how Netanyahu will act. "There is no logic when it comes to Netanyahu. Anything is possible, whether it's a reaction or no reaction, or whatever might happen," he said. "Here in this country, we live day by day waiting to see what Trump and Netanyahu will do."
The latest war between Israel and Hezbollah erupted in March, triggered by the joint U.S.-Israel war launched against Iran days earlier. Months of cross-border exchanges and military operations have since kept regional tensions high, with residents in Beirut left uncertain about security and stability.