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Basta, Bashoura, Zoqaq al-Blat: Israel’s relentless assault on Beirut in photos

Shortly after a speech by Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem and the launch of the "Khaybar 1" operations against Israel, last night confirmed what had already been clear for some time: The heart of Beirut is no longer an exception.

Overnight and into the morning, Israeli strikes came one after another, first in Zoqaq al-Blat, a neighborhood already targeted on March 12, then in Bashoura a few hours later, where a building that had already been hit that same day was this time completely destroyed, and then again in Zoqaq al-Blat.

By daybreak, Beirut awoke in shock.

The scene in the targeted neighborhoods was grim: apartments blown apart, buildings collapsed, people killed or injured. In adjacent areas, windows were shattered, and shopfront shutters were blown off.

Our journalists went to the scene to gather information and document what they saw. Here are their images, alongside those of Reuters and AFP photographers.

By L'Orient Today staff, 18 March 2026 14:34, updated at 14:49

The first strikes targeted the central neighborhoods of Basta and Zoqaq al-Blat, the latter had already been targeted less than a week earlier. Basta was also targeted in the previous 2024 war. (Credit: Mohammad Yassin/L’Orient Today)

The first strikes targeted the central neighborhoods of Basta and Zoqaq al-Blat, the latter had already been targeted less than a week earlier. Basta was also targeted in the previous 2024 war. (Credit: Mohammad Yassin/L’Orient Today)

Israeli media were quick to say the strikes were targeted assassinations, but no target has yet been officially confirmed. (Credit: Mohammad Yassin/L’Orient Today)

Israeli media were quick to say the strikes were targeted assassinations, but no target has yet been officially confirmed. (Credit: Mohammad Yassin/L’Orient Today)

At dawn, around 5:30 a.m., shortly after an evacuation warning was issued, the Israeli army struck a building in Beirut’s Bashoura neighborhood, near the Grand Serail. (Credit: Mohammad Yassin/L’Orient Today)

At dawn, around 5:30 a.m., shortly after an evacuation warning was issued, the Israeli army struck a building in Beirut’s Bashoura neighborhood, near the Grand Serail. (Credit: Mohammad Yassin/L’Orient Today)

Shortly after 8 a.m., the last strike targeted an apartment in the Zoqaq al-Blat neighborhood. (Credit: Mohammad Yassin/L’Orient Today)

Shortly after 8 a.m., the last strike targeted an apartment in the Zoqaq al-Blat neighborhood. (Credit: Mohammad Yassin/L’Orient Today)

Our journalists at the scene reported several apartments in the targeted building were set ablaze. (Credit: Mohammad Yassin/L’Orient Today)

Our journalists at the scene reported several apartments in the targeted building were set ablaze. (Credit: Mohammad Yassin/L’Orient Today)

In Bashoura, the targeted building collapsed entirely, causing extensive damage. (Credit: Ibrahim Amro/AFP)

In Bashoura, the targeted building collapsed entirely, causing extensive damage. (Credit: Ibrahim Amro/AFP)

The same building had already been targeted by Israeli missiles on March 12, 2026. (Credit: Mohammad Yassin/L’Orient Today)

The same building had already been targeted by Israeli missiles on March 12, 2026. (Credit: Mohammad Yassin/L’Orient Today)

In Basta, where several people were killed, a resident spoke to our journalists about one of the victims. ''I used to greet him, and I saw him just a few hours before he died. "Everyone here knew him; he was a good, quiet man.'' (Credit: Matthieu Karam/L’Orient Today)

In Basta, where several people were killed, a resident spoke to our journalists about one of the victims. ''I used to greet him, and I saw him just a few hours before he died. "Everyone here knew him; he was a good, quiet man.'' (Credit: Matthieu Karam/L’Orient Today)

The strikes on Beirut killed at least 12 people and wounded 27 others, according to the latest toll released by the Health Ministry. (Credit: Stringer/Reuters)

The strikes on Beirut killed at least 12 people and wounded 27 others, according to the latest toll released by the Health Ministry. (Credit: Stringer/Reuters)

The Israeli strikes in the heart of Beirut came just hours after a speech by Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem and the launch of a new operation by the group. (Credit: AFP)

The Israeli strikes in the heart of Beirut came just hours after a speech by Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem and the launch of a new operation by the group. (Credit: AFP)

After the strikes, police quickly sealed off the area. (Credit: Matthieu Karam/L’Orient Today)

After the strikes, police quickly sealed off the area. (Credit: Matthieu Karam/L’Orient Today)

Following the attacks, a Bashoura resident told L’Orient Today that ''there is nothing in this building but civilians. People do not understand these strikes.'' (Credit: Mohamad Azakir/Reuters)

Following the attacks, a Bashoura resident told L’Orient Today that ''there is nothing in this building but civilians. People do not understand these strikes.'' (Credit: Mohamad Azakir/Reuters)

Later in the day, President Joseph Aoun called for Lebanese unity, as Israel’s defense minister, Israel Katz, warned of ''significant surprises today.'' (Credit: Matthieu Karam/L’Orient Today)

Later in the day, President Joseph Aoun called for Lebanese unity, as Israel’s defense minister, Israel Katz, warned of ''significant surprises today.'' (Credit: Matthieu Karam/L’Orient Today)

On the same topic
  • The first strikes targeted the central neighborhoods of Basta and Zoqaq al-Blat, the latter had already been targeted less than a week earlier. Basta was also targeted in the previous 2024 war. (Credit: Mohammad Yassin/L’Orient Today)
    1/13 The first strikes targeted the central neighborhoods of Basta and Zoqaq al-Blat, the latter had already been targeted less than a week earlier. Basta was also targeted in the previous 2024 war. (Credit: Mohammad Yassin/L’Orient Today)
  • Israeli media were quick to say the strikes were targeted assassinations, but no target has yet been officially confirmed. (Credit: Mohammad Yassin/L’Orient Today)
    2/13 Israeli media were quick to say the strikes were targeted assassinations, but no target has yet been officially confirmed. (Credit: Mohammad Yassin/L’Orient Today)
  • At dawn, around 5:30 a.m., shortly after an evacuation warning was issued, the Israeli army struck a building in Beirut’s Bashoura neighborhood, near the Grand Serail. (Credit: Mohammad Yassin/L’Orient Today)
    3/13 At dawn, around 5:30 a.m., shortly after an evacuation warning was issued, the Israeli army struck a building in Beirut’s Bashoura neighborhood, near the Grand Serail. (Credit: Mohammad Yassin/L’Orient Today)
  • Shortly after 8 a.m., the last strike targeted an apartment in the Zoqaq al-Blat neighborhood. (Credit: Mohammad Yassin/L’Orient Today)
    4/13 Shortly after 8 a.m., the last strike targeted an apartment in the Zoqaq al-Blat neighborhood. (Credit: Mohammad Yassin/L’Orient Today)
  • Our journalists at the scene reported several apartments in the targeted building were set ablaze. (Credit: Mohammad Yassin/L’Orient Today)
    5/13 Our journalists at the scene reported several apartments in the targeted building were set ablaze. (Credit: Mohammad Yassin/L’Orient Today)
  • In Bashoura, the targeted building collapsed entirely, causing extensive damage. (Credit: Ibrahim Amro/AFP)
    6/13 In Bashoura, the targeted building collapsed entirely, causing extensive damage. (Credit: Ibrahim Amro/AFP)
  • The same building had already been targeted by Israeli missiles on March 12, 2026. (Credit: Mohammad Yassin/L’Orient Today)
    7/13 The same building had already been targeted by Israeli missiles on March 12, 2026. (Credit: Mohammad Yassin/L’Orient Today)
  • In Basta, where several people were killed, a resident spoke to our journalists about one of the victims. ''I used to greet him, and I saw him just a few hours before he died. "Everyone here knew him; he was a good, quiet man.'' (Credit: Matthieu Karam/L’Orient Today)
    8/13 In Basta, where several people were killed, a resident spoke to our journalists about one of the victims. ''I used to greet him, and I saw him just a few hours before he died. "Everyone here knew him; he was a good, quiet man.'' (Credit: Matthieu Karam/L’Orient Today)
  • The strikes on Beirut killed at least 12 people and wounded 27 others, according to the latest toll released by the Health Ministry. (Credit: Stringer/Reuters)
    9/13 The strikes on Beirut killed at least 12 people and wounded 27 others, according to the latest toll released by the Health Ministry. (Credit: Stringer/Reuters)
  • The Israeli strikes in the heart of Beirut came just hours after a speech by Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem and the launch of a new operation by the group. (Credit: AFP)
    10/13 The Israeli strikes in the heart of Beirut came just hours after a speech by Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem and the launch of a new operation by the group. (Credit: AFP)
  • After the strikes, police quickly sealed off the area. (Credit: Matthieu Karam/L’Orient Today)
    11/13 After the strikes, police quickly sealed off the area. (Credit: Matthieu Karam/L’Orient Today)
  • Following the attacks, a Bashoura resident told L’Orient Today that ''there is nothing in this building but civilians. People do not understand these strikes.'' (Credit: Mohamad Azakir/Reuters)
    12/13 Following the attacks, a Bashoura resident told L’Orient Today that ''there is nothing in this building but civilians. People do not understand these strikes.'' (Credit: Mohamad Azakir/Reuters)
  • Later in the day, President Joseph Aoun called for Lebanese unity, as Israel’s defense minister, Israel Katz, warned of ''significant surprises today.'' (Credit: Matthieu Karam/L’Orient Today)
    13/13 Later in the day, President Joseph Aoun called for Lebanese unity, as Israel’s defense minister, Israel Katz, warned of ''significant surprises today.'' (Credit: Matthieu Karam/L’Orient Today)