Lebanon to open schools as shelters for civilians displaced by Israeli attacks

Lebanon said today that it will open schools and similar buildings to accommodate civilians displaced by Israeli air strikes in the south of the country. Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi said that he has directed regional governors to cooperate fully with the mass evacuation from the southern regions.

Earlier today, Education Minister Abbas Al-Halabi announced a two-day suspension of classes in schools in southern Lebanon as thousands fled their homes following intensive Israeli attacks. The Lebanese University said on Sunday evening that it was suspending classes in three cities in the south: Sidon, Nabatieh and Tyre.

At least 182 people have been killed and 727 others wounded in massive Israeli air strikes targeting several areas in Lebanon since Monday morning, according to the Health Ministry. The Israeli occupation army said that it launched more than 300 air strikes in Lebanon since early morning, making it the heaviest bombardment since the onset of cross-border hostilities last October.

Tension has mounted between Hezbollah and Israel following a deadly air strike on Friday that killed at least 45 people, including children and women, and injured dozens in Beirut’s southern suburb. Hezbollah confirmed that at least 16 of its members, including senior official Ibrahim Aqil and top commander Ahmed Wahbi, were killed in the Israeli strike.

The attack came two days after at least 37 people were killed and over 3,000 others injured in two waves of wireless communication device explosions across Lebanon.

While the Lebanese government and Hezbollah blame Israel for the explosions, Tel Aviv has neither denied nor confirmed its involvement.

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