In light of the deteriorating situation in the Middle East, President Vladimir Putin has ordered the evacuation of 60 family members of Russian diplomats from Lebanon. They left this afternoon via a special IL-76 aircraft dispatched from Moscow.
The aircraft also delivered 33 tons of humanitarian aid, including food, medicines, basic necessities, and 80 kW generators to the beleaguered people of Lebanon.
The evacuation flight did not include ordinary Russian citizens in Lebanon. The Russian Embassy in Beirut advised the 3,000 Russians currently in Lebanon to leave on commercial flights if they wish. Many have indicated a willingness to leave.
This evacuation highlights the precarious situation in Lebanon as the Israeli military continues its incursion into southern Lebanon. Israel has urged residents of over 20 towns, including Nabatieh, to evacuate immediately.
Escalating Conflict
The situation escalated after two weeks of intense airstrikes, with Israel deploying troops in southern Lebanon following its prolonged conflict with Hamas in Gaza.
Explosions were reported in Beirut’s southern suburbs, a known Hezbollah stronghold, following heavy Israeli strikes.
In an overnight raid, Israeli airstrikes targeted central Beirut, reportedly killing nine people. The Lebanese Red Cross reported that seven staff members linked to Hezbollah, including two medics, were killed in the Beirut attack.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian threatened a strong military response if Israel continues its operations.
Calls for a ceasefire are growing louder, but the belligerents are not heeding them.
The ongoing violence has displaced approximately 1.2 million Lebanese, forcing them from their homes due to Israeli airstrikes.
Reports indicate that the conflict has resulted in the deaths of over 1,900 individuals and injuries to more than 9,000 in Lebanon over the past year, with the majority of casualties occurring in the last two weeks alone.
Gaza In The Shadows
Palestinians, for their part, fear the crisis in Lebanon has shifted world attention from the daily tragedies they are enduring. Local medics reported at least 99 Palestinian deaths in just the past 24 hours. Close to 45,000 Palestinians have died since the conflict began in October last year.
Despite the escalating conflict, discussions surrounding a ceasefire in Gaza have stalled, with both Hamas and Israeli officials expressing skepticism about reaching an agreement.
As tensions continue to rise in the Middle East, the outlook for peace in the region remains bleak, and world peace and order with it.
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