Lebanon extends school closures, opens facilities to shelter displaced families

​​​​​​​ISTANBUL

Lebanese education minister announced Tuesday the extension of school closures until the end of the week and the opening of public schools to accommodate and provide assistance to those displaced by Israeli airstrikes.

"The closure of schools, secondary schools, and public and private vocational institutes will be extended until the end of this week in the governorates of the South, Nabatieh, Bekaa, Baalbek-Hermel, and in the southern suburbs,” Abbas​​​​​​​ Halabi said in a statement. “The suspension of classes will also be extended in the governorates of Beirut, Mount Lebanon, the North, and Akkar,” he added.

The statement said the suspension of classes includes “the Lebanese University and private higher education institutions throughout all Lebanese regions until the end of this week.”

Halabi announced a two-day suspension of classes in schools Monday in southern Lebanon as thousands fled their homes following Israeli attacks.

Halabi also issued a directive Tuesday to "open the buildings of public schools and secondary schools to accommodate the displaced people.”

Lebanese Health Minister Firas Abiad also decided to "close all childcare centers across the country until the end of this week."

The Israeli army has launched waves of deadly airstrikes on Lebanon since early Monday, killing over 560 victims, including 95 women and 50 children, and injuring 1,835, according to Health Minister Firas Abiad.

"The majority of the victims in the Israeli attacks since Monday morning are defenseless civilians in their homes. This refutes the enemy's allegations of targeting fighters," he said.

Hezbollah and Israel have been engaged in cross-border warfare since the start of the Israeli onslaught against the Gaza Strip, which has killed more than 41,400 victims, mostly women and children, following a cross-border attack by Hamas last Oct. 7.

The international community has warned against the strikes on Lebanon, as they raise the specter of spreading the Gaza conflict regionally.

*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala