BEIRUT, (PIC)
Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati announced that the number of displaced persons due to the ongoing Israeli aggression against Lebanon may have reached one million, considering this displacement to be the largest in the country.
In a press conference following a meeting of the governmental emergency committee in Beirut on Sunday Miqati said, “There are 778 shelters housing 118,000 people so far,” but “the estimated number of displaced persons is much higher than this and could reach up to one million” who have fled in recent days from southern and eastern parts of the country and from the southern suburbs of Beirut.
He continued, “The number is very large; it could reach a million Lebanese who have moved from place to place in just a few days. This may be the largest displacement operation in the region, in Lebanon, and in history,” in a country with an estimated population of around 6 million.
Miqati added that “the state is fulfilling its duties within its capabilities” to support the displaced and address the consequences of the Israeli aggression, affirming that “facilitating the entry of donations will depend on knowing the donor and the recipient of the donation.”
He indicated that a meeting will be held with donor organizations, adding, “We will ask donor countries to assist us in these difficult circumstances.”
Miqati pointed out that security forces will intensify their measures to protect shelters and displaced individuals, ensuring peace and security in the regions and on the roads, explaining that maritime and air facilities continue to operate.
He reaffirmed Lebanon’s commitment to implementing Resolution 1701 and that the Lebanese Army is prepared to enforce it. He pointed out that the government’s priority is to stop the ongoing Israeli aggression through diplomatic efforts, “which is the only option.”
For a week now, Lebanon has been subjected to extensive Israeli airstrikes covering various regions of the country, resulting in hundreds of deaths, thousands of injuries, and significant destruction of buildings.
