Former safe havens in Beirut under attack

Martin Savidge Correspondent • Profile

BEIRUT, Lebanon - Israeli attacks on Lebanon escalated Friday as airstrikes destroyed four key bridges that were vital to Lebanon’s infrastructure and Christian neighborhoods that had formerly been seen as safe havens were caught in the crossfire. NBC News’ Martin Savidge reports from Beirut on the latest barrage of attacks.

There are reports of attacks on Christian neighborhoods and major roads and bridges in Beirut on Friday. What is going on with these heightened attacks?

It seems to show that there is an expansion of the air war on the part of the Israelis into the northern part of the nation. What is catching some people off guard is that the targets of these attacks are traditionally Christian areas.

Those were always thought to be safe and out of harm’s way from the Israeli airstrikes because they don’t support Hezbollah. But, it just so happens that the Christian areas are in the same neighborhoods as a number of bridges that are a vital part of the infrastructure of Lebanon.

Lebanon’s President Emile Lahoud is claiming that Israel is waging a war of starvation — that by shutting off what was a major supply route for relief aid to come in, that now things will really get desperate in Lebanon.

Israel would counter and say look — we are doing everything we can to make sure that no further rockets or weapons are being brought in to resupply Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon.

What is the situation like in downtown Beirut? Prior to these attacks, it seemed like in parts of Beirut life was going on as usual.

There are striking contrasts in the neighborhoods and suburbs that make up Beirut. 

You go through eastern, northern and western areas of Beirut, and it appears to be life pretty much as normal.

Then you go into the southern suburbs — the ones that have been targeted over and over again — and it’s a much different story. It’s almost a ghost town. Hardly anybody lives there now.

If anything, people come in briefly during the day and then they leave as soon as night begins to fall because that’s generally when the airstrikes happen. So the southern suburbs are just deserted.

In the rest of Beirut, even a few days ago things seemed pretty busy. But, now, even busy streets are getting quieter. You notice that stores that were open yesterday are now closed today. Is that a signal that they are not getting supplies and therefore can’t stay open? Or is it that they are afraid of attacks? We’re not sure at this point.

Getting around is getting increasingly difficult because fuel is harder to find. Fuel was primarily brought in by ship. But there is an Israeli naval blockade that has greatly restricted the flow of goods, and specifically fuel, into Lebanon.

People were using overland routes, but after last night’s strikes on major roads, slowly but surely Lebanon’s connections to the outside world are being diminished. And it’s not just transportation, but communications as well. There were some significant fiber optic and communication lines that went down when the bridges went down.

What about the attacks on the Christian neighborhoods that had previously been a safe haven?

The attacks on the suburbs around Beirut are upsetting to people in many ways here. There are many who feel like they don’t have a part in this battle and yet they are slowly being drawn into it — like the Christians, of course.

Other groups, like the Druse along the border with Syria where there have been strikes, also feel like they are suffering for something that they have nothing to do with. So, in some ways, there is a feeling among groups that weren’t a part of this conflict, but when they see these strikes, they are turning more and more against Israel.

They are feeling at least some sympathy toward Hezbollah because they are at least Lebanese. It’s a heart and minds issue.

MORE FROM MIDEAST & N. AFRICA

Mideast & N. Africa Section Front

Iran hangs 14 members of Sunni group Conservative warns of Iran disintegration Militant convicted in U.S. diplomat's slaying Most Muslim nations silent on China riots Saudis try 300 al-Qaida suspects Mideast & N. Africa Section Front   Add Mideast & N. Africa headlines to your news reader: