Image Source: Truthout
Beirut – The Israeli regime has continued its strikes in Lebanon after rejecting a ceasefire proposal backed by key allies, including the United States and France. Despite growing international calls for de-escalation, the Israeli government appears determined to intensify its military operations, with reports suggesting a potential ground invasion.
As the strikes go on, the situation for Lebanese civilians becomes increasingly dire. National News Correspondent Nada Atallah reported that over 700 people, most of them civilians, have been killed by Israeli airstrikes since Monday.
Though Israel claims its strikes are targeting Hezbollah, the majority of victims have been ordinary citizens, including women and children, similar to the situation in Gaza.
The devastating toll on civilians highlights the disproportionate impact of the strikes, as entire neighbourhoods are reduced to rubble. Families are left fleeing for safety, while the destruction of homes, schools, and hospitals has created a humanitarian crisis, displacing thousands and leaving vital infrastructure in ruins.
“Yesterday, the Israeli Prime Minister said the war was ongoing and that there was no ceasefire in Lebanon. The Israeli Army continued shelling throughout the country, killing many people. I think people here are afraid that the same scenario as in Gaza will happen.”
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The Silence of the International Community
Atallah condemned the double standards and the international community’s silence over Israel’s military actions and airstrikes on Lebanon. She pointed out the stark difference between the quick, clear responses to violence in other parts of the world and the subdued reaction to the destruction in Lebanon.
This selective concern, she argued, normalises the violence in the Middle East, as the world appears indifferent to the suffering of Arabs and civilians in Lebanon and Gaza. The lack of accountability from the international community allows Israel to press on with its military campaign unchecked, leaving Lebanese civilians to bear the brunt of the devastation.
“People here feel very isolated and that there is a double standard. If that had happened in any other country, particularly outside the Middle East and Lebanon, the reaction of the international community would have been much bigger.”
“There’s a feeling that we’re so used to the violence in this region that it’s almost seen as normal or as a continuation of what was happening in Gaza.”
“However, Lebanese civilians are being massively impacted. It’s a normalisation of the violence in the region, and people feel that their voices are not being heard and that they are being silenced while dozens of people are being killed daily.”
