Medical charity launches mental health helplines for Lebanese

Smoke rises in the southern Lebanese Marjayoun plain after being hit by Israeli shelling on September 6, 2024, amid the ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
Smoke rises in the southern Lebanese Marjayoun plain after being hit by Israeli shelling on September 6, 2024, amid the ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
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Updated 06 September 2024
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Medical charity launches mental health helplines for Lebanese

Medical charity launches mental health helplines for Lebanese
  • Israeli forces step up airstrikes, hitting series of Lebanese border villages

BEIRUT: Medecins Sans Frontieres in Lebanon has warned of a growing mental health crisis as a result of mass displacement in the south.

The organization highlighted “worsening psychological and financial burdens caused by displacement, loss of property and continued insecurity.”

It has launched two mental health helplines in response.

“Two mental health helplines were launched on Friday, aiming to provide necessary and free psychological support to communities suffering from psychological stress as a result of the conflict, including psychological first aid, consultations, and support with referrals to nearby facilities for the displaced and conflict-affected communities,” MSF said.

More than 113,000 people have been displaced from Lebanon’s southern border since violence broke out on Oct. 8 last year.

Most remain in the south, living with relatives, in rented houses or in the homes of expatriates who have opened their doors, with fewer than 5,000 living in shelters.

Dr. Luna Hammad, MSF medical coordinator in Lebanon, said: “Mental health is often overlooked in times of crisis, but it is as important as physical health.

BACKGROUND

More than 113,000 people have been displaced from Lebanon’s southern border since violence broke out on Oct. 8 last year.

“The stress, fear and uncertainty experienced by the population in Lebanon can have a major impact on their mental health. Neglecting these needs can lead to long-term consequences that affect individuals, families and communities.”

Amid the escalation between Hezbollah and Israel in southern Lebanon, MSF said it has launched a mobile medical team to support healthcare centers and shelters in the south.

“The team has provided continuous healthcare to 1,357 patients, including follow-up treatment for chronic diseases and consultations for displaced people, as well as health awareness sessions and psychological first aid,” the organization added.

“MSF carried out training sessions for health workers and deposited up to 10 tonnes of medical supplies and equipment in hospitals across the country.”

Israeli attacks in Lebanon have killed 39 health workers and closed six primary healthcare centers.

Friday saw new destruction across southern Lebanon, with Israel carrying out a series of strikes.

Footage showed two Israeli airstrikes carried out in the morning on a residential building in Mays Al-Jabal, which was destroyed near other razed structures.

The number of airstrikes on the largest town in the border region totals 126 since October last year, its mayor, Abdel Moneim Shuqair, said.

He added: “More than 1,850 shells of various sizes, including 750 internationally banned white phosphorus bombs, have fallen on the town and its surroundings since the beginning of hostilities between Hezbollah and the Israeli army 11 months ago, up until today.”

The situation is similar in the border town of Aitaroun, where Israel is employing a scorched earth policy.

Aitaroun Mayor Salim Mrad told Arab News: “Aitaroun, like the towns of Aita Al-Shaab and Kfarkela, is subject to daily Israeli assaults.

“The damage here has exceeded that of the 2006 war.

“These are border towns with high population densities, and the residents are known for distinctive vitality and live off agriculture.

“The town has 2,000 residential units, and it can be said that more than 100 houses in Aitaroun have been destroyed, and about 800 houses have been partially destroyed.

“The town’s economy has come to a halt, and the death toll has reached 16, including civilians.”

Israeli jets on Friday carried out an airstrike on a home in the town of Dhayra in the western sector, while Israeli artillery targeted the town of Kfarkela. An Israeli airstrike also targeted a house on the outskirts of the town of Beit Lif.

Artillery shelling with phosphorus bombs in the area between Tal Nahas and Hamames toward the Marjayoun plain caused fires to break out.

Also on Friday, Hezbollah announced a series of operations against Israeli military sites, targeting surveillance equipment  and buildings in Metula, a statement said.

Israeli media reported “extensive damage to a building in the Metula settlement after a large fire broke out following the launch of an anti-tank missile from Lebanon.”

The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation said: “Three anti-tank missiles were launched from Lebanon toward Metula opposite the border, hitting several buildings without causing any injuries.”

Hezbollah also targeted the Ruwaiset Al-Qarn site and the Zebdine barracks with rockets. Both sites are in the disputed Shebaa Farms area.

The group also used an assault drone to strike the Ma’ayan Baruch kibbutz near the Lebanese border.

The Israeli army announced that on Thursday evening it struck Hezbollah military facilities “in Aita Al-Shaab and Yarine, and attacked Hezbollah targets in the Blida area.”

 

 


Israeli bombardment kills 29 people in Gaza, militants renew rocket fire into Israel

Updated 2 sec ago
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Israeli bombardment kills 29 people in Gaza, militants renew rocket fire into Israel

Israeli bombardment kills 29 people in Gaza, militants renew rocket fire into Israel
The new rocket salvoes indicated that Hamas-led militant factions in Gaza are still able to fire projectiles into Israel

CAIRO: Israeli military strikes across the Gaza Strip killed at least 29 Palestinians on Friday, medics said, and sirens blared in southern Israel in response to renewed rocket fire from militants in the Palestinian enclave.
The new rocket salvoes indicated that Hamas-led militant factions in Gaza are still able to fire projectiles into Israel despite a year-long Israeli aerial and ground offensive that has turned wide areas of the enclave into wasteland.
On Friday, the Israeli military said sirens sounded in southern Israel for the first time in around two months.
“Almost a year after Oct. 7, Hamas is still threatening our civilians with their terrorism and we will continue operating against them,” it added, referring to the anniversary of Hamas’ cross-border attack that touched off the Gaza war.

Dramatic footage shows moment oil tanker struck by Houthi drone

Dramatic footage shows moment oil tanker struck by Houthi drone
Updated 46 min 47 sec ago
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Dramatic footage shows moment oil tanker struck by Houthi drone

Dramatic footage shows moment oil tanker struck by Houthi drone
  • Group releases video of explosion engulfing Cordelia Moon as it passed through Red Sea
  • Houthis have threatened to ‘escalate military operations’ after Israeli air raids last week

LONDON: Footage has been released of an oil tanker being struck by a Houthi drone vessel in the Red Sea.

The group published a video appearing to show the unmanned boat colliding with the Panama-flagged Cordelia Moon on Tuesday.

In the footage, a large explosion is seen on the vessel’s port side, followed by a plume of smoke engulfing the tanker. Its crew reported no major injuries and that all aboard are safe.

The attack reportedly occurred about 70 miles (110 km) off the Yemeni port city of Hodeidah, which is controlled by the militia.

The Houthis later claimed responsibility for the attack, which it said involved eight ballistic and winged missiles, a drone and an unmanned boat.

The US Navy said that the captain of a nearby vessel reported seeing four “splashes” in the water around the Cordelia Moon, believed to have been caused by missiles launched at the tanker missing their target.

Though the Houthis described the Cordelia Moon as a British ship, it is managed by an Indian company called Margao Marine Solutions.

Meanwhile, British security firm Amber reported that a second vessel, sailing under the Liberian flag, was struck by a missile about 97 nautical miles northwest of Hodeidah later that day as it traveled toward the Suez Canal. Its crew also reported no major injuries and that all aboard are safe.

The two attacks represent a return to the targeting of commercial shipping by the Houthis after a brief hiatus in operations.

The group began attacking vessels in the region following Israel’s invasion of Gaza last year.

The Houthis have also launched drone and missile attacks against Israel since the start of hostilities, and on Monday threatened to “escalate military operations” after shooting down a US military drone as it flew over Yemen. That incident followed a series of Israeli air raids over Houthi-occupied Yemen last week, which hit a number of military and oil installations.


Three Lebanese hospitals suspend services amid Israeli bombing: statements

Three Lebanese hospitals suspend services amid Israeli bombing: statements
Updated 04 October 2024
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Three Lebanese hospitals suspend services amid Israeli bombing: statements

Three Lebanese hospitals suspend services amid Israeli bombing: statements
  • Sainte Therese Hospital near Beirut’s southern suburbs reported “huge damage” to the building

BEIRUT: Three hospitals in Lebanon including one on the outskirts of Beirut’s southern suburbs announced Friday the suspension of work, amid ongoing Israeli bombardment.
In statements carried by the official National News Agency, Sainte Therese Hospital near Beirut’s southern suburbs reported “huge damage” to the building on Thursday due to Israeli bombardment in the vicinity and the subsequent “halt of hospital services,” while two hospitals in the country’s south also said services had stopped.


Israeli military says it has killed around 250 Hezbollah fighters in ground operation

Israeli military says it has killed around 250 Hezbollah fighters in ground operation
Updated 04 October 2024
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Israeli military says it has killed around 250 Hezbollah fighters in ground operation

Israeli military says it has killed around 250 Hezbollah fighters in ground operation
  • The military was still assessing the damage caused by airstrikes in southern Beirut

JERUSALEM: The Israeli military estimates it has killed around 250 Hezbollah fighters, including a number of battalion and company commanders, since the start of its ground operation in Lebanon earlier this week, a military spokesperson said on Friday.
Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani said the military was still assessing the damage caused by airstrikes in southern Beirut on Thursday night, which he said targeted Hezbollah’s intelligence headquarters.


Iran FM says backs efforts for simultaneous Gaza-Lebanon ceasefire

Iran FM says backs efforts for simultaneous Gaza-Lebanon ceasefire
Updated 04 October 2024
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Iran FM says backs efforts for simultaneous Gaza-Lebanon ceasefire

Iran FM says backs efforts for simultaneous Gaza-Lebanon ceasefire
  • “We support the efforts for a ceasefire,” Iran’s FM Abbas Araghchi said

BEIRUT: Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Friday said his country backed efforts for a simultaneous ceasefire with Israel in both the Palestinian territory of Gaza and Lebanon.
“We support the efforts for a ceasefire, provided that first, the rights of the Lebanese people are respected and it is accepted by the (Hezbollah) resistance, and second, that it comes simultaneously with a ceasefire in Gaza,” he said during a visit to Beirut.