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Posted in News on 15 October, 2024

Media Release: Lebanon is Burning as the World Watches on

“Lebanon is facing a crisis akin to the devastation witnessed in Gaza over the past year. The international community, including Australia, has a 

moral obligation to act and halt the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe”, said Hassan Moussa, Chief Executive Officer of Arab Council Australia.

In just three weeks, more than 2,000 civilians have been killed, and over 10,000 severely injured in Lebanon—a country already grappling with profound economic challenges. 

Over 1.2 million people have been displaced internally. As in Gaza, there are no safe places. Israeli airstrikes continue across Beirut and other parts of Lebanon. 

The catastrophe unfolding in Lebanon is causing deep anguish, pain and grief among the Lebanese community in Australia, who watch in disbelief and fear for the safety of their loved ones. The trauma is palpable as they bear witness to the ravaging of their ancestral lands, knowing their families are in danger. 

“We are bearing witness to the devastating genocide in Gaza, where more than 42,000 innocent people, including infants not even a day old have been brutally killed. Entire infrastructures —hospitals, schools, clinics, and shelters — have been reduced to rubble with people still inside. Medical personnel, UN staff, and journalists have not been spared, all murdered under the pretext of ‘Israel’s right to defend itself’. Enough is enough. How long will the world continue to tolerate this ongoing massacre?” Mr. Moussa asked.

In the past two days alone, Israel has shown a blatant disregard for international law and human rights, continuing a year-long campaign of violence against civilians. This morning, Israel bombed the northern Lebanese village of Aito, killing 21 members of a displaced South Lebanese family seeking refuge. Yesterday, Israel deliberately attacked UNIFIL forces in Lebanon, injuring international peacekeepers. Simultaneously, they bombed shelters in Jabalia, North Gaza, burning civilians alive who had sought safety after multiple displacements. 

“These tragedies are but a fraction of Israel’s gross violations of human rights and international law. Countries like Australia lose credibility and moral standing when they fail to hold Israel accountable for its crimes. Sanctions must be imposed. We also urge Australia to take swift humanitarian action, considering both the dire situation in Lebanon and the profound impact it is having on the Lebanese Australian community” said Mr Moussa.

Download the Media Release here.