Ten Minutes in Beirut, The Human Factor (Rai 3) the story of Lebanon's Black Wednesday under the rain of Israeli bombs.

A powerful documentary titled “Dieci minuti a Beirut” aired on Rai 3’s Il Fattore Umano, offering a harrowing account of the brutal Israeli bombing campaign against Lebanon on March 8, 2026. The episode, directed by Chiara Avesani and Matteo Delbò, captures the chaos and trauma of that day through the eyes of ordinary citizens caught in the crossfire. It recounts how Israeli air strikes devastated the city, killing nearly 400 people and injuring over 1,000, with entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble. The documentary highlights the personal stories of survivors, including Rabie, a father of seven who lost his wife and mother in the attack, and his two severely injured sons, while his youngest child, just 40 days old, survived unscathed. The episode begins by setting the scene in Beirut’s Ain El Mreiseh district, a neighborhood typically spared from military action due to its proximity to the American University of Beirut and its hospital. On the morning of March 8, 2026, life seemed normal. Hassan Badawi, a 33-year-old bar worker, was serving customers when he heard a massive explosion. He rushed to his father’s home, where the blast had struck. His father, Abbas, an electrician working nearby, had just returned from work when the attack began. Together, they raced into the burning building, rescuing their mother and trying to find their children amidst the destruction. According to the documentary, Israeli forces launched 160 bombs within ten minutes, targeting over 100 locations across Beirut and southern Lebanon. This strike, ordered by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was intended to signal that the temporary ceasefire between the United States and Iran did not extend to the Lebanese conflict. The attack disrupted daily life, catching civilians off guard. Entire buildings collapsed, trapping many inside, and emergency teams struggled to reach victims amid the devastation. Abbas recounted the horror of that day, describing how he and Hassan climbed the dangerous stairs to rescue their family. They found their mother already dead and retrieved their wife, who had also succumbed to her injuries. They searched desperately for their young children, eventually locating the newborn, who had been untouched by the blast. “It was a miracle,” Abbas said, holding his son close. Hassan described the emotional weight of the moment, recalling how his father had passed the baby to him before they could escape safely. The documentary also includes footage of the ruined building, showing the extent of the damage. One entire wing of the structure lay in ruins, with rooms exposed from one side. The contrast between the peaceful life once lived there and the destruction left behind is stark. The episode underscores the human toll of war, emphasizing how even those not directly involved in the conflict can suffer deeply. Survivors like Rabie and others continue to live in the shadow of the attacks, with many displaced and forced to seek shelter in refugee camps. The documentary does not offer solutions or political commentary, instead focusing solely on the immediate aftermath and the personal tragedies unfolding in the streets of Beirut. It serves as a poignant reminder of the unpredictable nature of warfare and the lasting scars it leaves on individuals and communities alike. As the episode concludes, viewers are left with a vivid image of a city transformed by violence, where the echoes of explosions still linger in the minds of those who endured them. The documentary stands as a tribute to resilience, capturing both the sorrow and strength of those who have survived.