TWO massive explosions hit Beirut on Tuesday, leaving hundreds injured, an unknown number of people dead, and causing extensive damage to the port area. Until Al-Ahram Weekly went to press, the cause of the blasts was unknown. The first explosion was near the port, the second close to the residence of Saad Al-Hariri, son of the murdered former prime minister Rafik Al-Hariri. Some observers linked the explosion to the verdict due from the UN tribunal which is trying four members of Hizbullah in absentia for the murder. Other reports suggest a link to tensions on the border with Israel. Israel claims to have foiled an attempt by Hizbullah to infiltrate its territory. *A version of this article appears in print in the 6 August, 2020 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly