In the wake of relentless Israeli airstrikes on Beirut, chaos and despair have gripped the city. Witnesses recounted terrifying moments characterized by a "roar then explosion," as bombs fell on civilian neighborhoods late Thursday, resulting in the tragic loss of 22 lives and injuring 117 others.

Rescue workers worked feverishly on Friday to locate any remaining survivors amid the rubble, particularly in the Shia neighborhood of Basta, where five individuals remain unaccounted for. The head of the Civil Defence team, Youssef Al-Mallah, urged families with missing loved ones to provide any information that could aid in the search.

The strikes marked some of the deadliest assaults in Beirut during this latest wave of violence, with the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health confirming the casualties. The first strike devastated a four-storey residence, while a second hit an eight-storey building in the predominantly Shia area of Nweiri, causing significant damage to surrounding structures and vehicles below.

Residents described the harrowing scene, where many were at home or on the street at the time of the attacks around 20:00 local time. Hassan Jaafar, a 22-year-old witnessing it all, described how the shockwave knocked him and his friends off their feet, saying, "For a moment, everything vanished in a cloud of ash." The young security guard recounted being injured by flying debris, emphasizing the personal impact of the ongoing violence.

As night turned into day, distraught families gathered at the sites, searching through the debris for belongings and loved ones. One group of women was particularly heart-wrenching as they searched for a mother of young children last seen on a stretcher. Civil Defence workers advised them to check local hospitals, hoping for news that their loved one had been rescued.

On the ground, the frustration and sorrow were palpable. Ibtisam Mazloum, a resident whose home was damaged, expressed her anger, stating, "If they want to fight, they should fight at the border. The civilians in Beirut are not part of this."

This wave of airstrikes marks the third time this month Israel has targeted areas outside Hezbollah's stronghold in Dahieh. Historical context reveals that previous strikes have aimed at key members of Hezbollah and other militant factions, resulting in civilian casualties and infrastructure damage.

Adding to the complexity of the situation, Human Rights Watch has called for a thorough investigation into Israeli actions that have endangered UN peacekeepers stationed in southern Lebanon. Reports indicate that Israeli forces had fired upon a UNIFIL observation post, marking a dangerous escalation in a volatile region.

Meanwhile, in a bid of retaliation, Hezbollah claimed responsibility for attacking an Israeli military base in Haifa using explosive drones, further complicating the security dynamics in the area and raising fears of an expanded conflict.

As the dust settles on this tragic chapter for Beirut, the resilience of its residents is clear, but the scars of violence have only deepened the urgent call for peace in this troubled region. Will the international community take action to protect civilians, or are we witnessing the beginning of a new, dangerous escalation? Only time will tell.