Israel reportedly expanding tactics used in Gaza conflict to Lebanon

Israel’s Military Actions in Lebanon Spark Concern Over Civilian Safety

A UK-based charity, Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP), has accused Israel of “deliberately terrorizing civilian populations” across Lebanon. The Israeli military has continued to attack the country despite ordering the forced displacement of hundreds of thousands of Lebanese civilians.

According to Steve Cutts, CEO of MAP, Israel’s actions in Lebanon are similar to its tactics used in Gaza. This includes collective punishment, forced displacement, and the deliberate targeting of civilian populations, including already traumatized Palestinian communities.

The Israeli military issued a forced displacement order for all of southern Lebanon on Wednesday, prompting tens of thousands of residents to flee their homes and communities under threat of attack. A similar order was issued for the southern suburbs of Beirut the following day, as Israel expanded its intensified air and ground offensive in the country.

At least 217 people have been killed and 798 others wounded in Israeli attacks across Lebanon since Monday, according to the latest figures from the Lebanese Ministry of Health. Human rights groups have raised concerns over the Israeli forced displacement orders, citing that many families have nowhere to go as Lebanon’s shelters are full.

The Israeli military has issued similar orders in its conflict with Palestinians in Gaza, forcing hundreds of thousands of people to move multiple times throughout Israel’s bombardment of the enclave. International condemnation was received when the Israeli army issued a forced displacement order for the entirety of Gaza City last September.

Israeli leaders have compared their escalating offensive in Lebanon to their war on Gaza, with some officials stating that they plan to make certain areas “like Khan Younis”, a city in southern Gaza that has been decimated by Israel’s war.

Source: Al Jazeera