In Beirut, a photographer’s frozen moments slow down time and allow the contemplation of destruction

The photos taken by AP photographer Bilal Hussein in Beirut captured the intense moments of Israeli airstrikes. In one image, a bomb is seen falling towards a building, frozen in time before impact. Another shows the building exploding, frozen in mid-destruction. These still photos allow viewers to contemplate the events and the impact on the people involved, unlike the fast-paced world of videos. The clarity and detail of these images, made possible by modern technology, offer a unique perspective on the chaos of war. The power of a single photograph to convey a story and evoke emotions is highlighted in Hussein’s work, reminding us of the enduring impact of still images in a world filled with moving pictures.