Beirut airport empty as rubble lines roads of Lebanese capital after Israeli attacks

Relentless Israeli airstrikes on the Lebanese capital Beirut have left the city in a state of shock and emptiness, with few flights arriving and even fewer people in sight on the streets, as shown in a vlog by China Global Television Network (CGTN) correspondent Yasser Hakim.

Hakim documented the scenes he witnessed upon his arrival in Beirut after traveling from the Egyptian capital Cairo via a flight operated by the Lebanese state-carrier Middle East Airlines (MEA).

He noted this was one of the only remaining options still in operation between the two cities after Egypt Air suspended most of its flights amid the current crisis, but said there were still only a small number of passengers waiting to board the plane.

Upon arriving in the Lebanese capital, the reporter observed how the once-bustling airport was now eerily quiet.

"I've arrived at Beirut airport now and going to the luggage claim. From this side it's very, very empty," said Hakim.

On his journey towards the city center, Hakim's vehicle passed by the site of some of the heaviest airstrikes, where he encountered scenes of destruction as rubble lay strewn by the roadside.

"This is the outskirts of the southern district, which is the stronghold for Hezbollah, which has been targeted since the beginning of the Israeli onslaught on Lebanon and on Beirut in particular. It's on the way to the airport. So [when] you just get out of the airport, or you arrive at the airport, it's on your way, the highway, and that's why the airport has been closed a few times before and could be closed anytime soon. And you can see the damages here. The houses, they have all been hit by air raids and that's next to the airport," he said while driving through the city suburbs.

After reaching a vantage point high over the capital, he described Beirut as a "beautiful city that has been sadly marred by the Israeli aggression."

At least 22 people have been killed and 117 injured, after an Israeli airstrike targeted al-Noueiri, a densely populated area in central Beirut, on Thursday evening, the Lebanese Health Ministry said in its latest update.

Beirut airport empty as rubble lines roads of Lebanese capital after Israeli attacks

Beirut airport empty as rubble lines roads of Lebanese capital after Israeli attacks

Israeli airstrikes have continued in southern Lebanon, triggering scenes of panic and widespread destruction.

As a result of the strikes, columns of smoke were seen rising into the sky as streets, houses, and vehicles were blanketed in soot. Residents recently recounted moments of terror during the strikes, saying Israeli warnings forced overnight evacuations.

According to local resident Gihane Abbas, they received warnings from the Israeli army ordering them to evacuate while they were sleeping. At that moment, Israeli planes arrived and bombed the houses and the infrastructure, cutting off all supplies and communication routes to the region.

The Israeli air force destroyed the building under the pretext that resistance fighters were inside. In reality, there were only women, young men, and children inside, according to Nour Tafla, another local resident.

Despite the ongoing raids and smoke rising over several neighborhoods, some residents insisted they would not abandon the city, vowing to remain -- and, if necessary, to die -- there with dignity and honor.

Israeli bombardment continues in southern Lebanon Israeli airstrikes hit southern Lebanon, residents recount terror