Canada raises alarm about escalating violence in Lebanon
CBC
The Canadian government said Tuesday it is alarmed by the escalation of violence and attacks in Lebanon, as the war in the Middle East expands.
“We condemn attacks against civilians, civilian infrastructure, and UNIFIL [United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon] personnel, which are unacceptable,” Global Affairs Canada (GAC) said in a series of posts on social media.
Canada pledged solidarity with the people of Lebanon, who, it said, have been “unwillingly drawn into” the conflict.
Israel’s military pounded the southern suburbs of the capital Beirut Tuesday, and its troops pushed deeper into the country's south.
Lebanon was pulled into the war last week, when Iran-backed Hezbollah opened fire on Israel to avenge the killing of Iran's supreme leader.
Israel has since launched air strikes across Lebanon's south, east and Beirut's suburbs, killing close to 570 people, according to a report by the Lebanese government's disaster risk management unit on Tuesday.
“The protection of civilians across the region must be an absolute priority, GAC said, calling on all parties to “uphold international humanitarian law and prevent further mass displacement.”
CBC News spoke with two Canadians with ties to Lebanon about what they were feeling as the war continues.
Christy Mady told CBC News she is staying in Lebanon for now, despite being able to see and hear the explosions in Beirut from her home. The Canadian associate professor teaches at Notre Dame University-Louaize in central Lebanon.
“I'm teaching and I'm committed to finishing this semester,” she said from her home in Sehaileh. “Because I am far away from immediate danger, I want to stay here for my students.”
Mady said her classes have been moved online and though Ottawa has offered her a seat on a flight out of Beirut, she won’t leave unless she feels she is in danger.
She acknowledged it’s difficult for her students — some have been displaced; others have friends and family in targeted areas — but she said they are still coming to class, doing homework and studying for exams.
“I'm a person also that comes from the war generation in Lebanon, and we did that, as well,” she said. “We want education to continue so that they don't end up losing their year.”
Lebanese authorities say more than 750,000 people have been displaced already.
