Islamic Relief USA (IRUSA), a nonprofit humanitarian and advocacy organization, issued the following statement regarding the recent escalation in Lebanon that has killed dozens of people. The organization calls on world leaders to take urgent action to stop further violence.
“Today’s bombing has caused by far the deadliest day in Lebanon since the crisis began almost a year ago,” Islamic Relief USA said. “The death toll is rising rapidly, but as of this morning, more than 180 people are reported killed and over 700 wounded, including children and many other civilians. Hundreds of airstrikes have torn through residential areas and families are fleeing the south of the country in terror.
As in past escalations, including recent ones in Gaza, civilians in parts of Beirut and southern Lebanon are being forced to leave their homes to avoid large-scale attacks on residential areas and civilian infrastructure. International law to protect civilians, including people who cannot leave or choose not to leave, must be followed and this violence must cease.
Akram Sadeq Ali, Islamic Relief’s Country Director in Lebanon, shared the following observations.
“There is mass panic, families here are terrified and they don’t know what to do or where to go,” he said. “Civilians and civilian infrastructure such as homes, hospitals and schools must never be a target and must be protected at all times. Young children are among those killed by the bombs, and any further escalation will be absolutely disastrous for civilians.”
This latest escalation is likely to force many more families from their homes. Over 116,000 people in Lebanon have already been displaced over the past year
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Islamic Relief USA, based in Alexandria, Va., is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) humanitarian organization. Its mission is to provide relief and development in a dignified manner regardless of gender, race, or religion, and works to empower individuals in their communities and give them a voice in the world. Its programs benefit millions of people each year in more than 40 countries around the world, including in the United States.
Islamic Relief USA is on the U.S. government’s Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) charity list, and it is also a signatory to the code of conduct of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.