Click photo to play
Length: 3:37

CAROL COSTELLO: Live reports from Beirut and the Israeli-Lebanese border. We're also watching top stories in Baghdad and in Washington. Let's go to Beirut now.

Michael Ware is there. And he joins me live.

Hello, Michael.

MICHAEL WARE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Carol.

Tonight, so far, it has -- it has been quiet. However, people now hold their collective breaths, with Israeli jets overhead, waiting to see if there's a repeat of last night's heavy barrage. But, this morning, Lebanon awoke, reeling from the evening's devastating attacks.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WARE (voice-over): Bodies lined side by side, bombed, burned, some beyond recognition, the aftermath of an airstrike, lifted away to waiting ambulances. To the Lebanese, another massacre of innocents, more than 20 dead; to the Israelis, a just strike on a Hezbollah weapons store in the small village of Qaa, these Syrians, said to be fruit-pickers, camouflage for an arsenal in the guerrillas' Bekaa Valley stronghold. This is the face of war in Lebanon: ghostlike Hezbollah fighters, Israelis claims of civilians used as human shields and hospitals as supply bases, a population under siege.

The full fury of the Israeli air campaign has resumed and continues. Of its 120 airstrikes across the country today, a quarter hit in Beirut within less than half a square-mile, a concentration of firepower not seen since the war's first days.

(on camera): This is a result of the intense Israeli bombardment of the southern district of Uzai. It seems to fit an emerging pattern of the air campaign, targeting routes in and out of Lebanon, from the roads and bridges to the north leading to Syria, to this humble fishing fleet.

(voice-over): Beyond those boats, the last main road -- the artery, once seen as safe -- leading out of the country. Its back now broken, four key bridges obliterated, leaving Lebanon isolated, strangled, no escape or help.

MARK SCHNELLBAECHER, CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES: This is a huge setback. One of the major supply routes, for both commercial shipments for the supermarkets, for example, but also for relief assistance, was that highway.

WARE: Fuel tankers critical to keeping hospitals functioning, cars running, lights on, still shut out by Israel's naval blockade.

Israel says it is stopping Syria from rearming Lebanon. If the strategy to also to bring this country to its knees, it's working. But, still, Hezbollah keeps fighting, sending more than 200 rockets south into Israel today.

So, on the 24th day of this conflict, Lebanese officials say the human toll is now 675 dead, a ghastly count by anyone's measure.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WARE: And no one wants that count to rise. But with the fierce combat under way in the south and more than 10,000 Israeli troops driving north, few hold out much hope -- Carol.

COSTELLO: So, Michael, the Israelis are bombing roads and bridges. That's got to make the people of Lebanon feel even more isolated.

WARE: Oh, absolutely. There's a great sense that people are being cut off from the rest of the world. Their only lifeline out, the main road to the north, to Syria, has been cut with the latest round of airstrikes.

That leaves them with very little recourse, even for much-needed fuel. The ships are still out there, waiting to come in. It's a desperate situation. And the people of Lebanon are beginning to harden their hearts -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Michael Ware, live in Beirut tonight, thanks.