‘Hundreds displaced overnight’ as airstrikes destroy humanitarian facilities in Lebanon
- 11 August 2021
- Middle East Eye
Israeli airstrikes have destroyed a humanitarian facility in southern Lebanon, displacing hundreds of people overnight, a local official said.
The facility, run by the humanitarian organisation Triangle Génération Humanitaire (TGH), was hit by multiple airstrikes on Tuesday night, according to the mayor of the town of Aitaroun, Ali al-Zein.
The TGH runs a summer camp for 250 children at the facility, which also houses 190 refugees from Syria.
Zein told Middle East Eye that the facility had been completely destroyed and that all the children and refugees had been evacuated.
“The camp was completely destroyed and many of its contents were burnt,” Zein said. “The children and refugees were all evacuated safely, but they have lost everything.”
Zein said that the airstrikes had also caused damage to nearby homes and businesses.
“The situation is very bad here,” he said. “We are still assessing the damage, but it is clear that it will take a long time to rebuild.”
The Israeli military has not commented on the airstrikes.
The airstrikes come amid escalating tensions between Israel and Lebanon. On Monday, Hezbollah fired rockets into Israel, prompting retaliatory airstrikes from the Israeli military.
The exchange of fire was the most serious since a 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah.
Analysis
The Israeli airstrikes on the humanitarian facility in Lebanon are a worrying development that could further escalate tensions between the two countries.
The facility was providing essential services to children and refugees, and its destruction will have a devastating impact on their lives.
The airstrikes also raise questions about Israel’s commitment to international humanitarian law. Under international law, parties to a conflict are obligated to take all feasible precautions to avoid harm to civilians and civilian objects.
The Israeli military has not provided any justification for the airstrikes on the humanitarian facility. It is possible that the facility was mistakenly targeted, but it is also possible that the Israeli military deliberately targeted it in order to send a message to Hezbollah.
Whatever the reason, the airstrikes are a clear violation of international humanitarian law and a serious escalation of the conflict between Israel and Lebanon.
‘Hundreds displaced overnight’ as airstrikes destroy humanitarian facilities in Lebanon
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