Shock, fear and depression haunt Lebanese public and blast victims

The families of Hezbollah victims who were standing near the American University Hospital of Beirut looked weary, sad and depressed just thinking that their loved ones lost their sight, fingers or arms within just a few seconds.

For two days in a row, Lebanon was shaken by waves of explosions from numerous technical devices, presumably coordinated by Israel, in areas controlled by the pro-Iranian Hezbollah militia.

"The situation among the wounded we have treated is catastrophic," Bahaa Noureddine, chief ophthalmologist at the American University Hospital, said on Thursday.

Since Tuesday, Noureddine and his team has performed over 40 operations on injured people. He added that 25 operations are still pending.

"Most of the injured are suffering from shock and depression," he said. The psychological effects are "very, very strong and serious."

"The relatives are also in shock, too. They cannot believe that their family members have gone blind or lost an arm or fingers within a few seconds," says Noureddine.

Most of the injured he treated were between the ages of 20 and 35. "There were also some women," he said.

Shock was also prevailing among non-Hezbollah members as well as the regular Lebanese population, who were already traumatized in 2020 when a large amount of ammonium nitrate stored at Beirut port exploded killing more than 200 and injuring 6,000 others.

"I'm afraid to touch my cell phone," said 30-year-old Amir from the port city of Tyre in southern Lebanon.

Amir is one of many Lebanese who now fear to walk on the street, and keep away from cars for fear that there is a device that might exploded.

According to official figures, around 3,000 people were injured and 37 killed in the explosions of numerous electronic devices on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Many of the victims are said to be Hezbollah members, but there were also civilians among them. According to the authorities, at least two children were killed.

"The Lebanese population has become more and more vulnerable over the years, especially since 2020. This will add to their suffering and put them in a state of depression," psychiatrist Elio Sassine told dpa.

Lebanon has been in a state of limbo for almost a year in which it has often been on the brink of going into open war with its neighbour Israel.

"We are exhausted," said Nour, a student from the southern suburbs of Beirut.

"We haven't had any peace for months," she said.