Lebanon Fears War on Its Soil; Epstein Ranch Probed

Lebanon Endures Conflict Amid Regional Tensions

People in Beirut are living with the constant fear of war, even though they are not direct participants. They feel like a battlefield for a conflict that is not their own.

This sentiment comes as the Strait of Hormuz remains a flashpoint, with Iran warning of retaliation after the U.S. seized an Iran-flagged cargo ship over the weekend. Global energy prices have already climbed, and experts predict gas prices may not fall below $3 a gallon until next year.

NBC News correspondent Yasmin Vossoughian is reporting from Beirut, where she has spoken with residents grappling with the aftermath of recent bombings. She visited sites in Beirut that were hit on April 8th, the same day a U.S.-Iran ceasefire was supposed to take effect. The contrast between bombed-out buildings and untouched structures standing right next to them is stark and deeply unsettling.

Survivors Recount Trauma and Loss

Vossoughian shared conversations with Mariam and Yasmina, two young women working near a bombed building. They help special needs children and narrowly avoided disaster when their workplace was hit.

They are dealing with trauma and PTSD, having feared leaving their homes during the conflict. Yasmina told Vossoughian, “That could have been us.” The proximity of the destruction to their daily lives made the event particularly devastating.

Another resident, who preferred to remain anonymous, described feeling the blast in his apartment on the first floor with his wife and three children. They immediately fled to the basement, fearing they would be next. He recalled a building meeting weeks prior where residents were warned to be vigilant about who entered their building, as a target within could endanger everyone.

In another area, a storage facility and parking structure were bombed, resulting in 80 deaths. A smoke shop owner and his wife, who were inside their shop during the attack, lost everything. Windows were shattered, and all products were ruined.

Despite rebuilding efforts, the owner expressed his deep desire for peace, stating, “We can’t keep living through this. We want to live free from war.” His wife described a heightened sense of anxiety, flinching at loud noises or even a fly passing by, a stark change from her former fearlessness.

Mistrust and Hope for a Ceasefire

While residents are thankful for the current four-day ceasefire, they hold little trust in its longevity. The proximity of Israel, just a drive away, is a constant reminder of the region’s ongoing conflict.

However, many are looking towards Thursday, when the Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors to the U.S. are scheduled to meet in Washington D.C. This meeting offers a glimmer of hope for a potential de-escalation.

Understanding the region’s complex dynamics is key. Lebanon is home to various groups, including Hezbollah (a Shia Muslim organization with Iranian ties), Sunni Muslims, and Christian communities.

Israel’s security concerns have led to the creation of a buffer zone in southern Lebanon. Iran’s influence through Hezbollah means that regional stability is deeply intertwined.

Many Lebanese people feel like pawns in a larger game, caught in a war that is being fought on their land. They feel they are making sacrifices for conflicts that do not directly involve them. This feeling is compounded by the recent U.S. action against an Iranian ship in the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has declared is now “closed for business.”

Strait of Hormuz Tensions Escalate

The recent incident involved Iranian Navy boats firing on Indian carriers in the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions. Following this, a U.S. carrier intercepted an Iranian cargo ship that did not stop when signaled.

The U.S. subsequently opened fire on the ship’s control area and took control of it. Iran’s president stated that while they believe in dialogue, they also reserve the right to respond.

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for global oil transport, and Iran has used its strategic location as leverage. Differing views on who should manage and control the strait are expected to be a major sticking point in upcoming negotiations. The ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran is set to expire on Wednesday, with talks planned in Islamabad and Washington D.C.

Residents on the ground hope for peace and a return to normalcy, but acknowledge that complex issues take time to resolve. The involvement of multiple factions in Lebanon and the broader U.S.-Iran-Israel negotiations means that finding a lasting solution will be challenging. The path to ending the conflict in Lebanon is seen as particularly difficult due to the long history of fighting between Lebanon and Israel.

Epstein’s Zorro Ranch Faces Renewed Scrutiny

New documents released by the Justice Department concerning Jeffrey Epstein have brought his Zorro Ranch property in New Mexico into sharp focus. An anonymous claim suggests two bodies may be buried on the property, though this remains unsubstantiated. Authorities have not fully investigated the compound, and until recently, it had never undergone a complete search.

At least 10 girls and young women have accused Epstein of grooming or assaulting them at Zorro Ranch. Survivors have reported abuse at the compound for decades, yet accountability has been slow. NBC News senior Washington correspondent Hallie Jackson gained rare access to the area to explore these allegations.

Inside the Isolated Zorro Ranch

Zorro Ranch is located on a remote stretch of desert between Albuquerque and Santa Fe. A memorial with signs and crosses now stands near the entrance, honoring victims.

Visitors often honk in solidarity as they pass by, showing support for those seeking justice. Survivors and family members describe the ranch as an isolating place, its vast desert setting and surrounding hills creating a sense of seclusion.

Epstein built a massive 26,000-square-foot mansion on a ridge, complete with opulent features like a pool, fountains, tennis court, and stables. Virginia Roberts Giuffre, who died by suicide last year, described in her memoir the abuse she says she suffered at Epstein’s hands, including at Zorro Ranch. She wrote that Epstein would sometimes reward her with trips to the ranch after she had been “lent out” to others, knowing she enjoyed horseback riding in the open spaces.

Survivor Accounts of Abuse and Pressure

Rachel Benavidez, who first came to the ranch in 1999 at age 22, was hired as a massage therapist. She recounted feeling intimidated and pressured to comply with Epstein’s demands, even as she was allegedly being assaulted.

Benavidez felt she couldn’t say no and described feeling like she shut down during that period, which derailed parts of her life. She now has a successful career and lives in New Mexico, emphasizing that the abuse happened in her home state.

Benavidez initially believed she was the only victim, expressing disbelief when she saw other young women at the ranch, thinking they looked like models. It wasn’t until years later that she realized there were others. Many survivors credit Virginia Roberts Giuffre’s public testimony with giving them the courage to speak out.

Benavidez stated, “I still don’t know that I feel hurt. I don’t know that there will be justice until survivors are heard and seen and believed.”

Sky Roberts, Virginia’s brother, and his wife Amanda Roberts visited the compound with Jackson. Sky described looking at the gate as “the gates of hell,” emphasizing how the ranch’s remote location could lead abusers to believe they could act with impunity. “You can scream as loud as you want and no one will hear you,” he said, highlighting the importance of bringing attention to the property.

Investigative Hurdles and New Probes

Accountability for survivors could potentially involve criminal prosecution. The New Mexico Attorney General’s office searched the ranch in March, the first time this has occurred.

The new owner, who purchased the property in 2023, voluntarily cooperated with the investigation. A spokesperson for the new owner stated that, to their knowledge, no evidence of crimes from the former owner was uncovered.

The path to investigation has been long and complex. Former New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas opened an investigation into Epstein and Zorro Ranch in 2019.

He claims he was asked to stand down by the federal Department of Justice, which was leading the Epstein investigation at the time from New York. Balderas believed this was standard procedure, assuming the feds would eventually share information for state charges.

However, Balderas later realized the federal investigation did not lead to a search of Zorro Ranch, as they determined there was not probable cause. This crucial detail emerged only recently with the release of the DOJ Epstein files.

NBC News reached out to the former lead investigator for comment but received no response. The DOJ declined to comment on specifics but welcomed further investigations by New Mexico and offered assistance if federal crimes are uncovered.

A recent, unsubstantiated tip received by a local radio DJ suggested two foreign girls died during sex and were secretly buried on the property. This tip, which the DJ turned over to the FBI without hearing back, was not known to the former Attorney General Balderas until the DOJ document release. The New Mexico Attorney General’s office is now pursuing this lead as part of its criminal investigation, which is still in its early stages.

The New Mexico State House has unanimously approved a Truth Commission. This bipartisan group aims to tell the story of what happened at Zorro Ranch. Survivors and their families are closely watching these developments, hoping for the truth to finally come out.

Source: Yas Reports on Fear in Beirut; Investigations into Epstein’s Zorro Ranch – April 20 (YouTube)