Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza
Even if they are displaced by the same war, people’s experiences of fleeing death and destruction can differ greatly. Among the 1.2 million people the UN says have been forced from their homes by Israel’s bombardment and invasion of Lebanon, some are sleeping rough on Beirut’s streets, others taken in by fellow Lebanese. Some are fleeing to Syria and Iraq. Those who can afford it are paying up to $1,800 for one-way tickets on charter yachts to Cyprus.
Whatever their destination or manner of travel, the experiences of most of those fleeing have one thing in common: they are proof that this war is adding to the tragic mosaic of refugee and internally displaced populations across the Middle East.
Syrians who had already been displaced by war to eke out a precarious existence in neighbouring Lebanon have found themselves forced to swallow any reservations and go home, in some cases to areas of the country dominated by armed factions. Returning Syrians have also been required to exchange $100 into local currency at the central bank’s official rate, which is much lower than the black-market rate. Exhausted families have struggled to gather the sum.
That things have come to this is a tragedy. What would be worse, would be an inadequate response
The UNHCR says about 6,000 Lebanese – including many families – have fled to Iraq. Although some of them are staying with friends or family, others are being housed in temporary accommodation.
Unicef, the UN children’s fund, estimates that more than 400,000 children in Lebanon have been displaced from their homes. Lebanon is also home to about 200,000 Palestinian refugees who now face the prospect of another forced displacement, much like their compatriots in Gaza who have been repeatedly driven from pillar to post by successive Israeli attacks from 1948 onwards. In Israel itself, tens of thousands of civilians remain displaced from the country’s north by rocket fire from Iran-backed Hezbollah.
This compounding of the Middle East’s displacement crisis has several immediate consequences: families face impoverishment as salaries are cut off and savings run out. Their children’s education is also undermined. Bureaucratic obstacles regarding visas, residency and refugee status emerge. These kinds of challenges have prompted a swift response from some regional countries. On Monday, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed assigned $30 million in aid to support displaced Lebanese citizens in Syria. The UAE has also sent six planes with 205 tonnes of aid to assist civilians in Lebanon. Citizens and residents across the Emirates will take part in a major donation drive this weekend to deliver essential support to those caught up in the conflict.
Despite these efforts, however, the situation could get even worse. Less than a week ago, Marwan Muasher, Jordan's first ambassador to Israel, told The National that the escalation of violence against Palestinians in the West Bank in tandem with the Israeli assault in Gaza could create a displacement crisis that would threaten Jordan’s stability. In Lebanon, the number of safe escape routes are shrinking – Israeli forces have already bombed the main road to Syria and on Monday they warned the Lebanese to avoid coastal areas in south of country amid coming maritime operations.
Managing this entirely preventable humanitarian crisis will take skill and resources. The scale of the challenge is immense: on October 1, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati and UN Humanitarian Co-ordinator for Lebanon Imran Riza launched a $426 million flash appeal to help support civilians. They should get the help they need. But more creative and flexible solutions to help refugees and displaced people must be quickly worked out, for example by ending currency requirements at the Syrian border or cutting back procedural red tape around visas and residency. Given the exceptional circumstances of the full-scale war taking place in Lebanon, Syrian returnees should be able to return home without fear of losing their refugee status in Lebanon.
That things have come to this is a tragedy. What would be worse, would be an inadequate response or effort to end this terrible war. It is time for the international community to step up.
TUESDAY'S ORDER OF PLAY
Centre Court
Starting at 2pm:
Elina Svitolina (UKR) [3] v Jennifer Brady (USA)
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) v Belinda Bencic (SUI [4]
Not before 7pm:
Sofia Kenin (USA) [5] v Elena Rybakina (KAZ)
Maria Sakkari (GRE) v Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) [7]
Court One
Starting at midday:
Karolina Muchova (CZE) v Katerina Siniakova (CZE)
Kristina Mladenovic (FRA) v Aliaksandra Sasnovich (BLR)
Veronika Kudermetova (RUS) v Dayana Yastermska (UKR)
Petra Martic (CRO) [8] v Su-Wei Hsieh (TPE)
Sorana Cirstea (ROU) v Anett Kontaveit (EST)
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1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Directed by: Craig Gillespie
Starring: Emma Stone, Emma Thompson, Joel Fry
4/5
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
The specs
Common to all models unless otherwise stated
Engine: 4-cylinder 2-litre T-GDi
0-100kph: 5.3 seconds (Elantra); 5.5 seconds (Kona); 6.1 seconds (Veloster)
Power: 276hp
Torque: 392Nm
Transmission: 6-Speed Manual/ 8-Speed Dual Clutch FWD
Price: TBC
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Zayed Sustainability Prize
The biog
Name: Salvador Toriano Jr
Age: 59
From: Laguna, The Philippines
Favourite dish: Seabass or Fish and Chips
Hobbies: When he’s not in the restaurant, he still likes to cook, along with walking and meeting up with friends.
TEAMS
EUROPE:
Justin Rose, Francesco Molinari, Tyrrell Hatton, Tommy Fleetwood, Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy, Alex Noren, Thorbjorn Olesen, Paul Casey, Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter, Henrik Stenson
USA:
Brooks Koepka, Justin Thomas, Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, Bubba Watson, Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler, Webb Simpson, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau ( 1 TBC)
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Frida%20
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Civil%20War
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FIXTURES (all times UAE)
Sunday
Brescia v Lazio (3.30pm)
SPAL v Verona (6pm)
Genoa v Sassuolo (9pm)
AS Roma v Torino (11.45pm)
Monday
Bologna v Fiorentina (3.30pm)
AC Milan v Sampdoria (6pm)
Juventus v Cagliari (6pm)
Atalanta v Parma (6pm)
Lecce v Udinese (9pm)
Napoli v Inter Milan (11.45pm)
'HIJRAH%3A%20IN%20THE%20FOOTSTEPS%20OF%20THE%20PROPHET'
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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