The Canadian government expressed deep concern on Tuesday over the increasing violence and attacks in Lebanon amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East. Global Affairs Canada (GAC) denounced the assaults on civilians, civilian infrastructure, and UNIFIL personnel as unacceptable. Canada reaffirmed its solidarity with the people of Lebanon, emphasizing their involuntary involvement in the conflict.
Israel’s military intensified its operations on Tuesday, targeting the southern suburbs of Beirut and advancing further into the southern regions of Lebanon. Last week, Lebanon was thrust into the conflict when Hezbollah, supported by Iran, retaliated against Israel following the assassination of Iran’s supreme leader.
In response, Israel conducted airstrikes across southern Lebanon, the eastern areas, and the suburbs of Beirut, resulting in the reported deaths of nearly 570 individuals according to the Lebanese government’s disaster risk management unit. GAC stressed the critical need for safeguarding civilians in the region and urged all parties to adhere to international humanitarian law to prevent additional mass displacements.
Christy Mady, a Canadian staying in Lebanon, shared her perspective on the ongoing situation, highlighting her commitment to continuing her teaching responsibilities despite the visible impact of the conflict. She emphasized the importance of education for her students, many of whom have faced displacement and personal connections to the affected areas.
Meanwhile, Lebanese authorities reported over 750,000 displacements, with the country’s Social Affairs Minister preparing for a potential surge in displacement surpassing the levels seen during the 2024 conflict. Jenny Majzoub, a Lebanese-Canadian residing in Victoria, expressed her anguish over the situation, particularly concerning her family’s proximity to the violence and the impact on innocent civilians.
As tensions persist between Israel and Hezbollah, the UN Security Council is set to convene an emergency meeting to address the situation in Lebanon. France, along with other European members, called for the meeting to address the escalating violence and urged Hezbollah to cease its actions and Israel to refrain from further military interventions in Lebanon.
