Hospitals in southern Lebanon face uphill struggle as they treat the wounded and displaced

Protests outside Lebanon’s Parliament turned violent Thursday afternoon as demonstrators clashed with security forces during ongoing demonstrations against the proposed 2026 state budget. Hundreds of retired military personnel, public sector employees, teachers, and union representatives gathered in central Beirut’s Nejmeh Square and Riad al-Solh area, coinciding with the third day of parliamentary debates on the budget. The protesters have been demanding urgent reforms to restore salaries and p