The Asian Tribune
www.asiantribune.net
While the United States and Israel have been at war with Iran, the opening of a new front in Lebanon, has expanded the war in Middle East.
After the war wit Iran began, Israel first targeted Lebanon in mid-March. The attacks continued and though the war was primarily was against Iran, the news about Lebanon bearing the brunt, didn’t get adequate attention.
But, the strike continued and the result was a humanitarian crisis in the country.
Civilian facilities were getting targeted on a regular basis and the citizens were getting killed. Women and children in large numbers, died as a result of these strikes.
The situation reached such a nadir that hundreds of thousands of people had to leave their homes. Lebanon’s government said that the figure of those who died due to the attacks, had crossed 2,000. In fact, nearly a million persons have been displaced within the country, as people are leaving their homes, to save their lives.
In just one day, on April 8, the number of deaths was over 250. Buildings and homes have been razed while important infrastructure has suffered.
The strikes in Beirut and its suburbs, apart from other parts of Lebanon, have come as a huge setback for the country. There have been strong condemnations of the strikes in Lebanon.
France has also expressed solidarity with the Lebanese people and said that it stands with them, as they continue to suffer the consequences of the war that they did not choose. Strong reactions have come from all over the world, as to how a nation’s sovereignty has been breeched and it has been drawn into a war.
The decision of Hezbollah to join the war and resist US-Israel’s strikes, has apparently led Israel into launching the attacks. Israel claims that it targeted the Hezbollah. However, large number of civilians have been killed. Images and videos of smoke billowing out, razed structures and that of families leaving their homes for security, indicate seriousness of the situation.
Experts say that it is a cause of concern that a new front was recklessly opened at a time when the region was already reeling under the impact of war against Iran. The shortage of gas has affected entire nations and the economy has been hit in the entire region.
Agencies report that over 2164 deaths have occurred and at least 7000 persons wounded in Lebanon. US president Donald Trump has said that there would be talks for ceasefire between the two countries—Lebanon and Israel. However, Lebanese officials were not fully aware about the plan for the proposed talks and the ceasefire plan.
