Before the ceasefire: A haunting photo essay of the Lebanon-Israel conflict

As the Lebanon-Israel conflict nears its ceasefire, a powerful photo essay takes us through the devastating human cost of the war. The series of images highlights the destruction caused by airstrikes, particularly in Beirut’s Dahiyeh district, and the lives forever altered by the ongoing violence.

One poignant image shows a woman holding her cat in front of a building reduced to rubble after an Israeli airstrike in southern Beirut. This image, like many others, captures the stark reality of civilian life amid the chaos. Hezbollah's airstrikes have left parts of Beirut in ruins, while Israel's military response to Hamas' assault has intensified the destruction on both sides.

This photo essay offers a stark visual narrative of the deadly conflict, from the initial outbreak of violence to the fragile peace that followed. It underscores the immense toll on human life and the deep scars left on both Lebanon and Israel as they face the aftermath of this devastating war.