The war in Lebanon, explained

The BBC’s correspondent in Beirut on how we got here and what’s next

An episode of the The Global Story podcast, hosted by BBC World Service, titled "The war in Lebanon, explained" was published on March 19, 2026 and runs 26 minutes.

March 19, 2026 ·26m · The Global Story

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Summary

Shortly after the US-Israeli war with Iran began, a second war broke out between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.Lebanese authorities say that more than 900 people, including at least 111 children, have been killed in Israeli attacks since 2 March. More than a million others have been forced to leave their homes.On Wednesday, Israel widened its air strikes from the southern suburbs of Beirut into the city centre. And there are fears that what Israel has called a “limited” ground operation could lead to an occupation of the south. Israel says it is targeting not only Hezbollah fighters and leaders, but also businesses it claims are linked to the group and help finance its military operations. From his post in Beirut, BBC Middle East correspondent Hugo Bachega explains the long history of the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, and we ask what could come next.Producers: Chris Benderev and Aron Keller Sound engineer: Travis Evans Senior news editor: China CollinsPhoto Credit: Smoke rises after an Israeli strike in central Beirut's Bachoura neighbourhood, following an escalation between Hezbollah and Israel, amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Beirut, Lebanon, 12 March, 2026. Creit: Claudia Greco/Reuters

Episode Description

Shortly after the US-Israeli war with Iran began, a second war broke out between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Lebanese authorities say that more than 900 people, including at least 111 children, have been killed in Israeli attacks since 2 March. More than a million others have been forced to leave their homes.

On Wednesday, Israel widened its air strikes from the southern suburbs of Beirut into the city centre. And there are fears that what Israel has called a “limited” ground operation could lead to an occupation of the south. Israel says it is targeting not only Hezbollah fighters and leaders, but also businesses it claims are linked to the group and help finance its military operations. From his post in Beirut, BBC Middle East correspondent Hugo Bachega explains the long history of the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, and we ask what could come next.

Producers: Chris Benderev and Aron Keller Sound engineer: Travis Evans Senior news editor: China Collins

Photo Credit: Smoke rises after an Israeli strike in central Beirut's Bachoura neighbourhood, following an escalation between Hezbollah and Israel, amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Beirut, Lebanon, 12 March, 2026. Creit: Claudia Greco/Reuters