Lebanon ceasefire call amid escalating violence in Beirut, October 2024
- As the conflict escalates between Israel and Hezbollah, Minister for the Middle East Hamish Falconer emphasizes the urgent need for a ceasefire at the Lebanon Support Conference in Paris.
- The UK has committed £15 million in humanitarian aid, while Lebanon requires approximately $250 million monthly to address the crisis, which has displaced between 500,000 to one million people.
- Falconer’s call for immediate action aims to facilitate a peaceful resolution to prevent further civilian suffering and potential regional escalation.
The ongoing conflict in Lebanon has created a dire humanitarian situation, particularly for those displaced by the military actions involving Israel and Hezbollah. Minister for the Middle East Hamish Falconer is set to address this escalating crisis at the Lebanon Support Conference happening in Paris. He will advocate for an immediate ceasefire and a peace settlement aligning with UN Security Council resolution 1701, which previously ended hostilities in the region in 2006. With the potential for further escalation, the UK has pledged £15 million in humanitarian aid amidst calls for larger financial support to aid Lebanon, which is currently in desperate need of about $250 million monthly to cope with the crisis. The conflict has already displaced upwards of one million people as buildings in Beirut are destroyed, and civilians are caught in the crossfire. Falconer plans to highlight the threats to UNIFIL troops and the destabilizing influence of Iranian proxies, which exacerbate the situation. His efforts will also include discussions with the US Deputy Secretary of State and senior French officials to galvanize international support for Lebanon. It is imperative that global leaders recognize the urgency of restoring peace in the region to protect civilians and reaffirm their commitment to humanitarian aid, ultimately aiming to stabilize Lebanon and prevent further violence from spreading beyond its borders.