A storm on social media following the decision to light up the Tel Aviv City Hall in the colors of the Lebanese flag • "When we want Tel Aviv to be lit, we will light it our way" • Meanwhile, the government is pointing the finger at the port manager •
A storm on social media following the presentation of the Lebanese flag on the Tel Aviv Municipality building: The gesture of the Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality provoked angry reactions among Lebanese surfers starting last night (Wednesday). "We will ignite Tel Aviv with our missiles," threatened a user named Ali Mansour, who posted a picture of a Hezbollah fighter with the flags of the terrorist organization and Lebanon. Another surfer wrote: "It will be a matter of time before the Hezbollah flag is lit on the Tel Aviv state building."
Lebanese flag on Tel Aviv Municipality building // Photo: Moshe Ben Mishhon
Among other surfers, a user named Ali Zawil responded to the display of the flag: "When we want Tel Aviv to be bright, we will light it our way." On the other hand, there were also positive reactions to the move by the Tel Aviv Municipality. A 36-year-old Lebanese man from Chicago wrote: "Thank you to the Israeli people for the love. I hope that the day will come when peace will prevail between us."
Meanwhile, as time passes from the explosion in the port of Beirut yesterday, more and more details about the incident are revealed. "Those who were near the port at the time of the explosion suffered respiratory and nerve damage," said the military commentator of the Al-Arabiya network, Assad Zoabi. "Many died as a result of inhaling toxic gases," he said.
The Lebanese leadership in general, and the port of Beirut in particular, are already concentrating on the exchange of accusations. Interior Minister Muhammad Fahmi addressed questions with Nima accusing the director of customs, Badri Daher, who in an interview with the Al-Arabiya network pointed the finger of blame at the port's director, Muhammad a-Mawla, regarding the 2,700-tonne explosion of nitrogenous ammonia. "He allowed the cargo to be unloaded in late 2013, early 2014," Daher attacked, "Why did he allow the ship to anchor and unload its cargo in Wing 12?".
The Lebanese Ministry of Health's morning update reported that at least 137 people were killed and 5,000 injured. This, when it is still estimated that many are missing - some were even thrown, as a result of the blast, into the sea water - and it is not known whether their families will be allowed to bury them.
French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to visit Beirut today following the disaster. During his visit, the French president will tour the scene of the explosion, as well as meet with Prime Minister Hassan Diab and President Michel Aoun - after having already spoken with the president shortly after the explosion. Macron is expected to arrive together with emergency aid forces in the country, and the leaders of the countries are expected to discuss ways of aiding the blast damage.