TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — In Beirut, shops are open and traffic is as snarled as ever. In Tel Aviv, cafes hum with patrons and umbrellas sprout across crowded beaches. Despite the looming threat of all-out war in the region, a sense of fatalism seems to have set in after months of border skirmishes and escalating tensions.
Last week's killings of two militant leaders in Beirut and Tehran, attributed to Israel, have sparked vows of revenge from Iran and Lebanon's Hezbollah. The potential for a devastating conflict looms large, with memories of the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah still fresh.
In Nahariya, just south of Lebanon, Israelis continue with their daily lives despite the tension. Residents express a desire for calm and a preference for a political resolution over war.
Meanwhile, in Beirut, even in the neighborhood housing Hezbollah's operations, life goes on. Some residents are moving away, while others defiantly choose to stay, displaying solidarity in the face of intimidation.
Authorities on both sides have not issued evacuation orders or preparedness guidelines, despite dire travel warnings from several countries and airline cancellations. Israelis and Lebanese alike carry on with their routines, hoping for the best while remaining prepared for any sudden threats.
Amidst the uncertainty, individuals like Elad Karta in Tel Aviv choose to enjoy the summer break with their families, balancing a sense of normalcy with a lingering unease about the future.
In Lebanon, Hezbollah claims to have an emergency plan in place, with enough supplies to last for months in case of war. The international community has advised caution and some have opted to leave the region, leading to disruptions in air travel and crowded airports.
As tensions persist, both Israelis and Lebanese continue to navigate daily life, hoping for peace while bracing for the unknown.
