Protesters rejoiced at the regime's conduct, burned objects and threw stones at the police, who responded by spraying them with tear gas • The port manager and 15 other workers were arrested as part of the investigation

The Beirut bombing: Clashes between protesters and security forces in the Lebanese capital, following the massive explosion in the port this week, which caused enormous damage in the city. A small group of protesters burned objects and threw stones at police, and security forces sprayed them with tear gas in response. The demonstration dispersed during the night. 

The severe disaster left at least 145 victims, 6,000 wounded and hundreds more still missing. The rescue efforts of those trapped under the rubble continued tonight as well. In one attempt, a family of six was located under the remains of a building. 

Clashes between protesters and police in Beirut over the blast disaster // Photo: Reuters

Last night, the director of the Beirut port, Hassan Kritam, and 15 other suspects were arrested as part of the investigation into the incident. The Lebanese press reported that the first stage of the investigation into the circumstances of the explosion at the port that occurred in warehouse number twelve. Authorities explained that the investigation covered all the circumstances that led to the massive explosion. More than eighteen people have been questioned so far, including senior officials at the port board and customs, in addition to those in charge of maintenance work at the warehouse that contained ammonia nitrate in large quantities.  

80,000 children were left homeless

Some 80,000 children have instantly become homeless in Lebanon following the explosions that shook Beirut this week, according to the UN Emergency Fund - UNICEF. . 

According to information received by the emergency fund, there are many reports of children being separated from their families some of whom are still missing. The Reuters news agency reported that more than a quarter of a million people were forced to evacuate their homes. UNICEF expressed concern over the many children suffering from trauma and being left in shock. UNICEF added that they continue to coordinate with authorities and field officials to address the urgent needs of families suffering from destruction across Beirut, particularly in terms of medical assistance, food, shelter and drinking water.

If that wasn't enough, damage was done to 12 medical centers in the city, which provide training and assistance services to pregnant and childbirth women, vaccinations and more - affecting 120,000 residents. Also, a children's hospital in Beirut, which specializes in baby care - was completely destroyed. Damages were also documented in many schools in the city around the port. The remaining active hospitals are collapsing under the load and urgently need medical equipment supply. All this while in the last 48 hours, 464 new cases of Corona virus infection have been recorded, which indicates an alarming increase in the level of morbidity. 

As part of its efforts to assist casualties, UNICEF is working to provide drinking water to residents, conducting condition assessments in warehouses, schools, infrastructure and hospitals, as well as extracting vaccine supplies from what is left of the port. UNICEF hopes to provide support to children who have lost their families, provide them with psychological support and establish a temporary transfer program.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced last night at a press conference in Lebanon the organization of an international conference that will discuss aid to the country in the coming days. He stressed that France would never abandon Lebanon alone, and demanded that the Lebanese leadership make deep reforms. 

Meanwhile, security tensions on the northern border are still ongoing. This afternoon, Hezbollah's secretary general is expected to speak after his speech was postponed due to National Mourning Day on Wednesday. 

Yesterday, the Lebanese newspaper "Al-Akhbar" close to Hezbollah wrote that Israel errs in reading the reality when it comes to the terrorist organization. According to the newspaper's editor, Ibrahim al-Amin, there are those in Israel's political and military leadership who may go on an "adventure" in the wake of the Lebanese crisis, and they are betting that the explosion will cause Hezbollah to give up a response to the active killing in Syria. According to him, the reason for this is that in Israel it is believed that Hezbollah is in trouble and needs a ladder to get off the tree that climbed on it. Al-Amin claimed that those factors must understand that Hezbollah's response will come - and it will be bloody.