![Officers use heavy construction equipment to remove debris from heavily damaged settlements following the Israeli army's air strike on the Dahieh district of southern Beirut, Lebanon on September 21, 2024. [Houssam Shbaro - Anadolu Agency]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/AA-20240921-35697362-35697338-DEATH_TOLL_IN_ISRAELI_AIR_STRIKE_ON_BEIRUT_RISES_TO_31.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
The Lebanese University announced on Sunday evening that it is suspending classes in three cities in the south of Lebanon due to ongoing Israeli attacks. Classes are suspended as from today at the university’s campuses in Sidon, Nabatieh and Tyre.
The university said that the move has been taken to protect students, professors and other employees. It added that further announcements will be made based on developments in the situation.
Lebanon’s Minister of Education and Higher Education, Abbas Al-Halabi, gave schools, institutes and universities the freedom to assess the security situation in terms of whether to remain open or close their doors in light of the current circumstances.
“Monday is a normal teaching day in public and private schools, institutes and universities,” said Al-Halabi yesterday. “However, in areas witnessing tensions or hostilities, the management of each educational institution is responsible for deciding what is appropriate, provided that the educational authorities are notified.
The cross-border exchanges of fire between Hezbollah and Israel escalated last week with the explosion of communication devices across Lebanon which left 37 dead and more than 3,250 wounded. Moreover, an Israeli air strike in the southern suburbs of Beirut on Friday killed 45 people, including children, women and prominent Hezbollah official Ibrahim Aqil. A further 68 were wounded, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry.