The suffering in southern parts of Lebanon is not just a regional issue; it is a global humanitarian crisis that demands attention and intervention.
As the world marked another World Humanitarian Day on August 19, the ongoing hostilities in southern parts of Lebanon paint a grim picture of a region caught in a relentless cycle of violence. As of mid-August, over 111,000 individuals have been displaced from their homes, with nearly half of these individuals being women. The toll is not merely numerical; it represents lives uprooted, families shattered, and communities in crisis.
The statistics are staggering since hostilities escalated in October 2023, a total of 2,412 casualties have been reported, including 564 deaths. Among these, at least 133 civilians, including children, have lost their lives—each one a stark reminder of the human cost of warfare. The situation is compounded by Israeli airstrikes, which have targeted warehouses and other structures, often with devastating effects. An airstrike on August 17 in Kfour killed 10 Syrian nationals, including a woman and two children, underscoring the indiscriminate nature of such actions.
The humanitarian landscape is dire. Almost 150,000 people live within a perilous 10 km radius of the border, constantly facing the threat of shelling and airstrikes. Displacement figures reveal that 78% of those affected are living with host families, and many are doing so in overcrowded conditions. This adds strain not only to the displaced but also to the host families who are often struggling to make ends meet themselves. The reality is stark: 35% of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) are children, caught in a nightmare they did not choose.
The international community must take heed of these harrowing developments. On August 19, Imran Riza, the Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, visited the affected areas to advocate for the protection of civilians and to underscore the violations of international humanitarian law. His message is clear: civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected at all costs. The ongoing targeting of health workers, as evidenced by recent strikes on ambulances and medical personnel, is a blatant disregard for the principles of humanitarian protection.
This moment calls for urgent action. The Lebanese representative to the UN has formally lodged complaints against Israel for its breaches of international law, yet the on-the-ground reality continues to deteriorate. A lack of funding for humanitarian efforts means that those in need are left to navigate a sea of uncertainty, with food, shelter, and medical care in dangerously short supply.
As we commemorate World Humanitarian Day, we must amplify our calls for compassion and solidarity. The suffering in southern parts of Lebanon is not just a regional issue; it is a global humanitarian crisis that demands attention and intervention.
Now more than ever, the international community must come together to provide aid, advocate for the cessation of hostilities, and ensure that the rights and dignity of all civilians are upheld. The clock is ticking for those who find themselves trapped in this cycle of violence. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that their voices are heard, their needs are met, and their lives are restored.
In a world where conflict too often overshadows compassion, let us not turn away from the plight of those in southern parts of Lebanon. Let us respond with urgency, empathy, and a commitment to human rights for all.
Bahauddin Foizee is an analyst & columnist focusing on the assessment of threat/risk associated with business, economy and investment as well as legal, security, political and geopolitical threat/risk. His articles on these areas as well as on social, environmental, financial and military affairs in the Asia-Pacific/Indo-Pacific and Middle East regions have been widely published.
OpEd Column Syndication 