On the Ground in Beirut

Beirut bureau chief Christina Goldbaum reported on March 5, 2026, from Lebanon's capital on the rapidly escalating conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah, as Israeli forces seized additional areas in southern Lebanon while continuing widespread bombing campaigns throughout the region. The southern Lebanon border zone has become a critical flashpoint in this renewed conflict, with Israeli military operations expanding beyond previous boundaries in what officials describe as necessary security measures against cross-border attacks. Hezbollah, which has maintained a strong presence in southern Lebanon for decades, has responded with increased rocket fire toward northern Israeli communities, creating a volatile situation that threatens to spiral into a broader regional conflict. As international observers express growing concern over the humanitarian impact and potential spillover effects, Goldbaum's reporting provides crucial firsthand accounts of civilian displacement, infrastructure damage, and the daily realities for those caught between the opposing forces in one of the Middle East's most enduring conflicts.