Press release: By: The Regional Women’s Alliance on the Escalation of the War in Lebanon
Press release:
By: The Regional Women’s Alliance on the Escalation of the War in Lebanon
Recently, Israel has intensified its military operations in the region, marking the most violent escalation since the genocidal war on Gaza. Israel has transferred its battles to Lebanon, and after a series of bombings against Hezbollah’s military communications devices in what was known as Operation Pagers, the intensity of the bombing increased in the southern regions of Lebanon, which are considered Hezbollah’s security zone. The southern suburbs of Beirut and other areas were bombarded too, leaving hundreds of civilians, including women, children, and young men. Additionally, approximately one and a half million civilians were forcibly displaced to neighboring areas, while at the same time, about 300,000 refugees have fled to Syria.
We at the Regional Women’s Alliance condemn the Israeli aggression against the defenseless Lebanese people just as we were and still are against the genocide carried out by Israel against the people of Gaza. It is of vital importance that the civilian population must be protected from the war. We strongly condemn the Israeli ground incursion into Lebanese territory, which echoes past efforts to encroach on the lands surrounding Israel gradually.
We are deeply concerned about the Syrian refugees in Lebanon, who are already facing the impact of Lebanon’s worsening economic crisis, along with discrimination and racism. While the head of the Syrian regime has ordered the opening of borders for displaced Lebanese and promised assistance for their return, many Syrians remain fearful of going back. They lack safe options for returning to their homes, which have been devastated by systematic bombings from the regime’s army and its supporting militias.
This war also takes its toll on foreign workers in Lebanon, who have to face an unknown fate and need urgent shelter, humanitarian aid, and fair distribution of humanitarian assistance.
We express our concern regarding the ongoing military and armed conflicts in the Middle East, often fueled by ideological agendas and supported by certain countries and parties. These conflicts have resulted in a tragic increase in civilian casualties and widespread destruction of homes and infrastructure and have perpetuated the militarization of our societies. The current situation severely limits development opportunities and undermines economic and social stability. As a result, we witness escalating chaos, terrorism, and a significant rise in displacement rates among affected populations. We call for an urgent reevaluation of these conflicts and urge all stakeholders to prioritize the protection of civilians and promote peace and stability in the region.
We call on international actors to take measures that would immediately cease fire and stop the war in the region. We at the Regional Women’s Alliance, as feminists, advocate for peace in the area. We call for an end to wars and urge the pursuit of dialogue and non-violent political solutions that respect people’s rights and freedoms. We reject dependence on agendas that escalate conflicts and division in the Middle East. We resort to international legitimacy and its institutions to implement the international resolutions related to this conflict. What Israel is doing in terms of blatant aggression constitutes a violation of international humanitarian law, as these actions are prohibited according to the Charter of the United Nations. They are also considered criminal acts amounting to the crime of aggression, one of the crimes that fall within the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court.
Therefore, we call on international and regional humanitarian and relief organizations to intensify urgent humanitarian support and provide basic life necessities for the displaced, especially as the harsh winter approaches.
Let us all raise our voices demanding an end to the war and establishing a just peace that achieves the demands of all peoples.
Regional Women’s Alliance
3rd October 2024
