Islamic Relief strongly condemns the recent deadly attacks on civilians in Lebanon. We call on world leaders to take urgent action to stop further escalation.

Today’s Israeli bombing has caused by far the deadliest day in Lebanon since the crisis began almost a year ago. The death toll is rising rapidly. So far, more than 180 people have been reported killed and over 700 wounded, including children and many other civilians.

Hundreds of Israeli airstrikes have torn through residential areas and families are fleeing the south of the country in terror.

The Israeli military’s announcement for civilians in parts of Beirut and southern Lebanon to leave their homes is a horrifying echo of the orders we have seen issued repeatedly in Gaza. Orders that come before large-scale attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure there. Ordering people to leave their homes does not absolve Israel of its obligation under international law to protect civilians, including people who cannot leave or choose not to leave.

Akram Sadeq Ali, Islamic Relief’s Country Director in Lebanon, says: 

This latest escalation is likely to force many more families in Lebanon from their homes.

More than 116,000 people in Lebanon have already been displaced over the past year. Many are now in desperate need of aid. At least 24,000 residential buildings have been badly damaged or completely destroyed.

The escalation comes as much of the population in Lebanon struggles to cope with the fallout from a years-long economic crisis. It has forced many families into poverty.

Islamic Relief has helped almost 30,000 people affected by the crisis.

Since tensions escalated in the region last October, our teams on the ground delivered food parcels, hygiene kits, blankets, and mattresses and more. We have also provided thousands of medical supplies for hospitals and primary healthcare clinics. Currently, Islamic Relief supports displaced families and local host communities in Nabatieh, Tyre, Bekaa and Balbek, where most recently displaced people have been seeking refuge.

Islamic Relief has been working in Lebanon since 2006, supporting communities through war, displacement and the current crises.