Live updates: Follow the latest news on Israel-Gaza
Time has stopped in Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, as its inhabitants wait for a war that has yet to begin.
Following Hamas's attack in Israel on October 7 that kicked off a massive escalation of violence in Gaza, the southern border of Lebanon has been the site of tit-for-tat clashes between Iran-backed Hezbollah and an ally of the Palestinian militant group on one side, and Israel on the other.
Beirut residents told The National they are fearful of what could come next, as some governments, including Canada and the US, have advised their citizens to leave.
The skirmishes Israel and Hezbollah, which have resulted in dozens of fatalities, including civilians, have been contained so far, as the two sides loosely follow the so-called rules of engagement, which have prevented escalation since a full-blown war in 2006.
However, the situation could shift in an instant: a ground invasion of Gaza – which could potentially lead to Hezbollah and its primary backer, Iran, coming to the rescue of Hamas – or miscalculation by either side could lead the entire nation to be pulled into the conflict.
The national mood is sombre as Lebanon's almost ruined economy teeters on the edge of collapse, with many fearing another war will be the final straw
In Beirut, the line between war and peace already seems blurred. The usual vibrant streets are quieter, with many events being cancelled in solidarity with Gaza, where Israeli air strikes have so far killed more than 5,000.
Faced with uncertainty, many in Beirut are preparing for the worst.
Some have already begun stockpiling food and emergency provisions as they recall the 2006 war, a month-long conflict that pitted Hezbollah against Israel and claimed the lives of more than 1,200 Lebanese – mostly civilians – and 165 Israelis, mainly soldiers.
Mariam, a 35-year-old mother of two living in Beirut’s southern suburb of Dahieh, which was heavily affected during the 2006 conflict, told The National she had packed suitcases in case she needs to quickly evacuate her family.
“Each bag has several changes of clothes, water, food and medicine in case of emergencies,” she said. “Because who knows where we’d end up if we had to leave suddenly.”
She and her husband Mohammad own a small chain of accessory shops in Dahieh.
Last weekend, the couple packed up all their merchandise and stored it in a nearby warehouse for safekeeping.
“If the area gets hit, we can’t afford to lose all our merchandise,” she said. “We need to make sure our capital is protected.”
Unfortunately, that means the couple are out of work for the time being. They sell the occasional accessory online but it is not the same revenue stream as having an active storefront.
“The worst part is that we don’t know when or if things are going to get worse. And in the meantime, we can’t do much besides sitting and waiting for something to happen.”
While many Lebanese find themselves with no alternative but to wait, some foreign residents, among them staff from NGOs and international organisations, have already initiated the process of evacuation.
Many embassies, including those of the US and Britain, have advised their citizens to leave Lebanon while flights remain available. The primary concern is that the airport could become a target, as was the case during the 2006 war.
Lebanon's Middle East Airlines has cancelled half of its flights due to changes in insurance coverage. the airline has also transferred a significant portion of its fleet from Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport due to the security risks in the region.
Several other airlines, such as Swiss International Air Lines and Germany's Lufthansa, have already temporarily suspended flights to Beirut.
City's slump
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W - N Forest, 3-0
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How much sugar is in chocolate Easter eggs?
- The 169g Crunchie egg has 15.9g of sugar per 25g serving, working out at around 107g of sugar per egg
- The 190g Maltesers Teasers egg contains 58g of sugar per 100g for the egg and 19.6g of sugar in each of the two Teasers bars that come with it
- The 188g Smarties egg has 113g of sugar per egg and 22.8g in the tube of Smarties it contains
- The Milky Bar white chocolate Egg Hunt Pack contains eight eggs at 7.7g of sugar per egg
- The Cadbury Creme Egg contains 26g of sugar per 40g egg
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The Intruder
Director: Deon Taylor
Starring: Dennis Quaid, Michael Ealy, Meagan Good
One star
UAE gold medallists:
Omar Al Suweidi (46kg), Khaled Al Shehhi (50kg), Khalifa Humaid Al Kaabi (60kg), Omar Al Fadhli (62kg), Mohammed Ali Al Suweidi (66kg), Omar Ahmed Al Hosani (73), all in the U18’s, and Khalid Eskandar Al Blooshi (56kg) in the U21s.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Company Profile
Name: JustClean
Based: Kuwait with offices in other GCC countries
Launch year: 2016
Number of employees: 130
Sector: online laundry service
Funding: $12.9m from Kuwait-based Faith Capital Holding
88 Video's most popular rentals
Avengers 3: Infinity War: an American superhero film released in 2018 and based on the Marvel Comics story.
Sholay: a 1975 Indian action-adventure film. It follows the adventures of two criminals hired by police to catch a vagabond. The film was panned on release but is now considered a classic.
Lucifer: is a 2019 Malayalam-language action film. It dives into the gritty world of Kerala’s politics and has become one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films of all time.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs: 2019 BMW X4
Price, base / as tested: Dh276,675 / Dh346,800
Engine: 3.0-litre turbocharged in-line six-cylinder
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 354hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 500Nm @ 1,550rpm
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The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
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WORLD CUP SEMI-FINALS
England v New Zealand
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Dates for the diary
To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:
- September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
- October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
- October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
- November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
- December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
- February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
