Beirut: Member of Parliament Melhem Khalaf on Tuesday issued an urgent appeal for the immediate opening of safe humanitarian corridors to a number of villages in South Lebanon, warning of a rapidly worsening humanitarian situation.
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, Khalaf highlighted the plight of villages whose residents have chosen to remain despite ongoing risks, including Debel, Rmeish, Ain Ebel, Kfarhamam, Kfarshouba, Habbarieh, Shebaa, Rashaya al-Foukhar, Mari, Halta, Fardis, Marjeyoun, Jdeidet Marjeyoun, Qlaiaa, Deir Mimas, Burj al-Muluk, Ibl al-Saqi, and Koukaba. He warned that these communities are facing "suffocating isolation," leading to severe shortages of food, medicine, and essential services, conditions that threaten both lives and human dignity.
Khalaf also expressed concern over reports suggesting a possible withdrawal of units from the Lebanese Army in some of these areas, particularly Rmeish, noting that such a move would further weaken security and leave civilians exposed to heightened risks. He stressed that opening humanitarian corridors is no longer optional but has become an urgent national necessity and a humanitarian obligation, rooted in international law, particularly the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols, which require the protection of civilians and the facilitation of unhindered humanitarian access.
Khalaf called on the Lebanese state to fully assume its responsibilities, maintain the presence of its institutions, foremost among them the army and security forces, and act immediately to establish these corridors. He also urged the United Nations, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), friendly nations, and international humanitarian organizations to take swift and effective action to secure these corridors, ensure civilian protection, and guarantee the timely delivery of aid.
"Our call stems from the pain and resilience of the people. to save lives and preserve dignity," Khalaf said.