Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati sharply condemned Israel’s recent orders for forced displacement within Lebanon, labeling them “war crimes.” Mikati’s remarks come as Israeli forces issued evacuation orders on Wednesday affecting ten towns and villages, with a repeat notice for regions including Baalbek, Ain Bourday, and Duris. These escalating evacuations have sparked grave concerns among Lebanese officials and residents alike.
Mikati described the directives as “an additional war crime” that compounds what he called a longstanding pattern of aggression against Lebanese civilians. “The threats issued by the Israeli enemy against Lebanese civilians to evacuate entire cities and displace them from their areas and homes is an additional war crime added to the series of crimes committed by the Israeli enemy, including killing, destruction, and sabotage,” he stated, according to Al Jazeera.
In response to these developments, Mikati has reached out to key international diplomats to seek a halt to Israel’s actions. His recent meetings with U.S. Ambassador Lisa Johnson and Egyptian envoy Alaa Moussa focused on urging increased diplomatic pressure to foster a ceasefire and prevent further escalation.
Sources for this article include Al Jazeera, Middle East News Agency.
