War in the sky, Music on the roof: Video shows bizarre Lebanon celebration as missiles fly amid Iran-Israel war

Economic Times

7 hours ago

Entertainment Amid Escalation: A City Watches From the Sidelines
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Israel's "Operation Rising Lion" Targets Iran
Iran Responds with "Operation True Promise III"
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As the Iran-Israel war enters one of its most volatile phases in recent memory, a surreal video emerging from Lebanon paints a striking picture of contrast. While missiles blaze across the sky, a rooftop bar in Beirut appears unfazed—guests are seen dancing, filming the moment on smartphones, and enjoying trumpet music, even as signs of war loom nearby.A viral video shared widely across social media platform X (formerly Twitter) captures this striking moment of normalcy amid regional turbulence. The scene shows a trumpet player performing live at a rooftop venue, possibly one of Beirut's popular nightspots like SPINE or Iris Rooftop, both renowned for panoramic views of the Mediterranean. A DJ continues his set in the background, while partygoers stand captivated, pointing their phones skyward as missile trails flash in the distance.An on-screen caption aptly summarizes the mood:While the veracity of the exact location remains unconfirmed, X's AI chatbot Grok speculated that the video likely originates from a coastal bar in Beirut. The AI noted limited visual evidence to pinpoint the exact site but confirmed the footage reflects current scenes from Lebanon, where life continues even as neighboring countries brace for impact.The Economic Times could not independently verify the authenticity or exact location of the video.This moment comes in stark contrast to developments across the border, where the Iran-Israel war has erupted into full-scale military exchanges. The video stands as a testament to Lebanon's precarious position—geographically close, politically entangled, yet culturally resilient.On June 13, Israel launched a sweeping air campaign under Operation Rising Lion, striking over 100 strategic Iranian sites. According to reports, these included high-security nuclear facilities in Natanz, Fordow, and Esfahan, along with missile storage units, advanced air defence systems, and major branches of the Iranian Defence Ministry in Tehran. Israel's assault also targeted vital energy grids.The toll has been significant. Iranian authorities stated that the coordinated bombardment killed at least 100 individuals, among them nuclear scientists and senior military personnel, while more than 380 people sustained injuries.Iran retaliated with equal ferocity under Operation True Promise III, launching over 150 ballistic missiles and deploying more than 100 drones toward key Israeli cities. Haifa, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Rishon LeZion were hit in rapid succession. The counterstrikes caused severe damage to infrastructure and reportedly claimed the lives of seven Israeli citizens.The conflict escalated significantly with Israel's launch of Operation Rising Lion on June 13, targeting over 100 Iranian military and nuclear sites. Iran responded with Operation True Promise III, launching over 150 ballistic missiles and more than 100 drones at Israeli cities.Israel's strikes reportedly killed at least 100 people in Iran, including nuclear scientists and military personnel. Iran's retaliation caused extensive infrastructure damage in cities like Haifa, Tel Aviv, and Jerusalem, killing seven Israeli civilians.