To learn about the timeline of the months and years leading up to the explosion, view this article by The Guardian; otherwise, scroll below for a list of what happened in Lebanon since the explosion.
A month has passed since the Beirut Port explosion. Although reporting about the explosion has died down in international media, the people in Lebanon are still suffering. Beirut is still counting the cost of lives and property damage, while anger and rage are fermenting in the streets of Lebanon.
To the best of my ability, I am going to take you through the major events that happened in Lebanon since the explosion.
August 4 – Massive Explosion in Beirut Port
The massive explosion ripped through Beirut on Tuesday August the 4th – almost 200 people have been reported dead, and around 6,500 injuries have been recorded. The blast flattened much of Beirut’s port and caused severe damages to buildings and neighborhoods nearby. As a result, around 300,000 people have been left homeless. The cost of property damage has been estimated to exceed the $10 billion dollar mark.
August 4 – Monuments Worldwide Lit Up In Solidarity
Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, Egypt’s Great Pyramids, City Halls from Tel Aviv to Belfast lit up in solidarity with Lebanon. Other cities like Toronto, Kuwait, and the Eiffel Tower in Paris shut down their lights.
August 5 – Lebanese All Around the World Come Together
Lebanese on ground joined hands. Equipped with their home brooms, they came to sweep the streets of Lebanon. They donated the shattered glass to NGO-s like Arc En Ciel, who repurposed it.
Lebanese also came together worldwide and in all major cities. In London, for instance, the Lebanese held a vigil in the Kensington Gardens in honor of the victims of the Beirut blast.
August 6 – French President Visited Shell-shocked Beirut
French President Emmanuel Macron flies to Lebanon. He visits Gemmayzeh and embraces the people. Gemmayzeh is one of the most damaged neighborhoods due to its close proximity to the Beirut port.
August 8 – Protestors Gather in Downtown Beirut
Lebanese protesters gather in Downtown Beirut for a demonstration against a political leadership. They blame the negligence of the ruling class for the monster explosion that disfigured the capital of Beirut. They scream “Kellon Ya3ne Kellon” meaning “All Means All”, demanding all the politicians of Lebanon to step down.
Among the protesters were an organized group who invaded some ministry buildings. Reports claimed that this group was led by a Lebanese Army Veteran. The Lebanese government ended up tracking and arresting this veteran and posting about it in a tantalizing way.
Meanwhile, riot police tried to resist protesters who were trying to reach the iconic Lebanese Parliament building in Downtown Beirut. They used rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse and hold back the crowds.
The Lebanese Army and the Republican Guard aided the police against the attempts of the protesters. According to reports, the Republican Guard used Live ammunition against its own people.
August 9 – World Powers Come Together For Emergency Conference
World leaders held an emergency donor conference and raised nearly 253 million euros for immediate humanitarian relief. It also provided Lebanon with a pledge for long-term assistance.
“World powers must put aside their differences and support the Lebanese people, whose country’s future is at stake after a massive blast devastated the capital.” said French President Emmanuel Macron
August 10 – Lebanese Ministry Steps Down After Almost a Week
Lebanon’s, newly appointed (Jan. 2020), Prime Minister Hassan Diab announced his government’s resignation. This was amid popular outrage over the deadly Beirut port explosion. The resigned government was to remain in power in “a caretaker” capacity.
Other political top figures and members of the parliament remain in power, as the people continue chanting: “Kellon Ya3ne Kellon”.
August 13 – A State of Emergency in Beirut
Lebanon’s Parliament approved a state of emergency in Beirut for two weeks. This grants the military sweeping powers despite the overarching anger over the corruption, mismanagement, negligence, and political uncertainty.
August 13 – FBI Joins the Investigation in Lebanon on the Port Explosion
David Hale, US Under Secretary for Political Affairs, declares that the FBI will join Lebanese and International investigators to aid in discovering the reasons and circumstances that led to the tragic event of the Beirut explosion.
August 17 – Google Donates to Support the People of Beirut
Google donates $2.2 million to support the people of Beirut who were affected by the explosion. The funds were raised as part of an employee donation-matching program. They will be given to local NGOs that provide medical relief, pubic shelter, and food donations.
If you want to know how much was raised by other countries, then check out this post.
August 18 – Judgement Day – Lebanese Tribunal for the Rafic Hariri Assassination
Almost 15 years later, Rafic Hariri’s assassination verdict finally came through. The announcement was postponed from August 7 to August 18 due to the explosion. Out of 4 suspects, who were all members of Hezbollah (Iran’s and Syria’s allies in Lebanon), only one (Salim Ayyash) was found guilty of the murder. Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri holds Hezbollah responsible for his father Rafic Hariri’s killing, and says that he “will not rest until punishment is served.”
August 22 – A Spike in COVID-19 Numbers
A spike in COVID-19 numbers in Lebanon lead to the country calling for a two week lock-down. Putting the city to a 6 PM curfew, which was eventually increased to 10PM.
August 27 – Khaldeh Sectarian Fight
An armed clash broke out in Khaldeh killing 2 people and leaving several others injured. The involved parties were the Sunni Arab clan and Shiite supporters. The argument started over “Ashoura” banners pertaining to the famous Shiite religious holiday. The clash escalated quickly with local media reporting that RPG-7 shells were fired at the famous Rammal Supermarket which, as a result, caught fire.
August 30 – Mustapha Adib Announced as Designate-Prime Minister
The Lebanese parliament tasked diplomat Mustapha Adib with forming the Lebanese government. Out of a possible 120, he received 90 votes from the members of the parliament.
His appointment was met with mixed emotions as news broke out about him being close to the country’s major parties; thus, the current leaders.
He received the support of Hezbollah, the Free Patriotic Movement, the Amal Movement, and the Future Movement. The Lebanese Forces voted for International Court of Justice judge Nawaf Salam.
August 31 – French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Beirut
French President Emmanuel Macron arrives to Lebanon for a second visit since the explosion.
Macron addressed the Lebanese in a tweet written in Arabic. In it, he says he returns to Lebanon to review the developments relating to international aid and to work together in creating the necessary conditions for reconstruction.
September 3 – Hope of Survivors
Amidst all the negativity and sadness, news broke out about a slim chance of a survivor stuck under the rubble of a destroyed building in Mar Mikhail.
All thanks to a sniffer dog called Flash, who arrived to Lebanon as part of the TOPOS Chilean rescue team. Flash detected a smell in the building. The team, therefore, used a designated machine and discovered signs of a pulse and breathing near the ground floor of the collapsed building. Reports claim that the sensor detected 18 breath cycles per minute fueling reports that the survivor might be a child. A faint heartbeat and a simmer of hope for the Lebanese, who eagerly await the result of this rescue mission.
Embed from Getty ImagesThis Time the Only Way to Rebuild is to Reform
Lebanon, a country that provokes more questions than answers, both for those who live there and for those who do not.
With leaders that are like chameleons, effortlessly switching from caste system chief to brutal autocrat to modernizing president, in a blink of an eye, in order to appeal to the necessary world parties.
All this, while portraying a perfect picture-postcard view of religious harmony, which is the root of the problem in the first place. This time the only way to rebuild is to reform.
There are probably many other nuances that I have may have forgotten in this timeline of what happened in Lebanon since the explosion. If you have any additions, please let me know.
Thanks for sharing this. Don’t know why, these things are not highlighted on social media. We must be aware of what is happening in different parts of the world.
Thank you for sharing all this information! I am in the US, and we mostly only focused on the initial explosion in our media, so I wasn’t aware of the protests and government changes. It sounds like a difficult time for many.
Thank you so much for sharing this. They definitely didn’t broadcast enough of the details of the explosion and the happenings afterward on the news here in the USA. These events are so heart-breaking. I hope change is on the docket soon!
It is so saddening that things like this continue to happen—but it heartening that people are pulling together to support those affected. Praying for change and safety. Thank you for the thorough post.
Good to see what’s happened since as I’ve not had anything much pop up on social media thanks for sharing
Reform is right. It’s the only way to ensure these things don’t happen. Nothing is guaranteed. Leaders must do what is right for the people of the country in the end. Thank you for the timeline and update.