Ground Report: Eid celebrations in Beirut overshadowed by sounds of war

As tensions escalate in West Asia, India Today's Ashraf Wani brings this ground report from Beirut about how Eid celebrations in Beirut this year are overshadowed by the sounds of war. In the southern suburbs and central parts of Beirut, streets remain deserted as thousands have fled their homes following evacuation warnings and continuous strikes. While Eid is being observed across different days by various communities, the mood remains sombre. A building in central Beirut, targeted on Wednesday along with six others, was bombed, killing 20 people in that strike alone. The ongoing war has so far claimed over 900 lives and injured more than 2,000 people. The most devastating impact is the displacement of over one million people, who are either in shelter homes or on roadsides. Fear, loss and uncertainty have replaced what is traditionally a time of joy and togetherness, with many residents choosing not to celebrate Eid this year as destruction dominates the landscape across Beirut and southern Lebanon.