Lebanon announces UN-backed reconstruction fund
Lebanon’s caretaker PM Najib Mikati has urged countries to continue sending aid amid an “unprecedented” crisis, he said at the Arab-Islamic summit in Riyadh.
“The Israeli aggression has led to severe human losses, in addition to economic repercussions, further exacerbating the tragedy, and the World Bank has estimated the losses at $8.5bn,” said Mikati at the Saudi-hosted summit focused on the wars in Gaza and Lebanon.
He called for global support for the state – and not any factions. “I also call for respecting Lebanon’s sovereignty and refraining from interfering in its internal affairs while supporting Lebanon as a state and entity,” Mikati said.
He announced that a reconstruction fund was being created to assist Lebanon’s displaced, which will be overseen by the UN.
Three killed in Srifa as Israel pummels Lebanon
At least three people have been killed in an air raid on Lebanon’s town of Srifa, in the Tyre governorate, the National News Agency reported.
In southern Lebanon, the Israeli army also hit the outskirts of the Rashidieh refugee camp, south of Tyre, the towns of al-Mansouri and al-Sama’iya, and the Batoulieh plains.
Separately, in the eastern Baalbek-Hermel governorate, an Israeli drone launched a raid on the town of Hawsh al-Sayyid Ali, on the border with Syria. There were no immediate reports of casualties.
Israeli army issues more forced evacuation orders for southern Lebanon
Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee has issued forced evacuation orders for southern Lebanon, saying the population must move north of the Awali River.
The order was addressed to the towns of Sheheen, al-Jebbayn, Tayr Harfa, Abu Shash, Beit Shama, Majdal Zoun, al-Mansouri, Zebqin, Rashidieh, Barghliyeh, Qasmiyeh, al-Bayyaada, Naqoura, Bint Jbeil, Ainata, Kounine, Aitaroun, Taybeh, Rab Thalathin, Markaba, and Bani Hayyan.
Adraee added that the Israeli military would be acting “forcefully” in these areas due to Hezbollah activities.
EU ‘appalled’ by Israeli strikes in Lebanon
The European Union’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has said the bloc is “appalled” by continued Israeli military strikes in Lebanon, including one on Sunday that killed at least 38 people including seven children in the town of Almat, north of Beirut.
Borrell said the town was “away from Hezbollah areas” “No one, including [the Israeli military], can be indifferent to the high number of civilian killed,” he added, before calling for a ceasefire.
The EU is appalled by continued IDF strikes in Lebanon, w/ tens of victims incl. 7 children in Almat, north of Beirut & away from Hezbollah areas. No one, incl. IDF, can be indifferent to the high number of civilian killed. We call for immediate ceasefire & respect of UNSCR 1701.
— Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) November 11, 2024
