Canada’s Secretary of State Criticizes Israel’s “Unlawful Invasion” of Lebanon.
Beirut, Lebanon – A Canadian government official has condemned what he describes as Israel’s “unlawful invasion” of Lebanon, asserting that Beirut should have the authority to govern its own territory and maintain sovereignty over its lands.
Randeep Sarai, Canada’s Secretary of State for International Development, visited Lebanon to announce new humanitarian aid for the crisis-stricken country, where the U.N. estimates that approximately 360,000 people remain displaced due to Israel’s recent military actions against the Lebanese resistance group Hezbollah.
“We have been actively working through diplomatic channels to do everything possible to halt these actions and enable affected Lebanese communities to return to their homes,” Sarai stated in an interview with The Associated Press on Tuesday, August 18.
The latest round of Hezbollah resistance began just two days after Israel initiated a significant ground invasion of southern Lebanon, resulting in widespread terror for Arab families living in the region. Military analysts report that Israel currently occupies numerous towns and villages in Lebanon, many of which have been nearly destroyed.
According to official reports, Israel’s airstrikes have resulted in the deaths of over 4,000 individuals, caused extensive destruction in southern Lebanon, and displaced more than 1 million people.
During his visit, Sarai addressed Lebanese and international press, announcing Canada’s commitment to launch three new programs to support vulnerable families and women, bringing total assistance to Lebanon this year to over 71 million Canadian dollars (approximately $50.23 million).
Canada, which has a large Lebanese diaspora, has provided around 800 million Canadian dollars (about $575 million) in assistance to Lebanon over the past decade, including nearly $38 million in March to supply necessities such as food and medical services, Sarai noted.
“Our commitment is long-term, and we are here for Lebanon,” said Sarai, who visited shelters accommodating people displaced by the conflict, as well as Syrian refugees, during his trip.
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