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Join on Telegram Rabat – The alarming situation in Lebanon has become increasingly concerning for the international community, including Morocco, as Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) persist in relentless airstrike and ground invasion campaigns, claiming they are targeting Hezbollah.
However, the attacks are significantly impacting civilians with the ongoing unrest resulting in at least 1,000 deaths and over 6,0000 injuries.
Many, including foreigners living in Lebanon, are left grappling with the devastating consequences of war, uncertain about their futures.
One Moroccan citizen expressed these concerns in an interview with Morocco World News (MWN), highlighting the sense of insecurity and fear.
The Moroccan national, who prefers to speak under conditions of anonymity for security reasons, is a student at the American University in Beirut, where many other Moroccan students are pursuing their education.
When asked whether he had been displaced, the student replied that he was not as he lives in northern Beirut, in the vicinity of AUB’s campus. The majority of Israeli airstrikes have taken place in the southern neighborhood of Dahieh.
“However, the situation is tense. Several Moroccan nationals who lived in the southern parts of Lebanon have been displaced due to the ongoing conflict,” he told MWN, noting that the risk of violence in the broader region is growing.
Due to the Israeli airstrikes, many airlines have suspended flights to and from Lebanon for safety concerns, leaving Moroccans and other foreigners trapped with no option.
The Moroccan student said he has explored several avenues in order to secure a flight home to no avail, as all airlines – except Middle East Airlines – have suspended their flights at Rafic Hariri International Airport.
“Middle East Airlines is the only carrier still operating, but all its flights are fully booked until October 18. Given the rapidly deteriorating situation and the unpredictability of the conflict, it’s unclear whether the airport will remain operational, or if flights will be available by that date,” he detailed frustratingly.
The student has also explored sea route possibilities to return home, including ferries or boats sailing to Turkiye.
“All ferries and boats are fully booked for the next two weeks as many people are attempting to leave Lebanon due to the increasing instability and frequent bombings, particularly in Beirut’s suburbs,” the student said.
For the student; the ongoing relentless campaign — particularly the ground invasion that Israel launched within the last 24 hours – has further intensified the urgency for evacuation.
No evacuation update from embassy
The Moroccan national voiced his concerns about what he perceives as insufficient efforts by the Moroccan Embassy in Lebanon to establish contact with him and other Moroccans residing there.
The student noted that despite providing their contact information to the embassy before the situation escalated, he and others have not received any outreach from officials on evacuation updates.
“After the conflict escalated, we took the initiative to find the WhatsApp number of contact within the embassy,” he said, noting that the representation requested Moroccans citizens’ contact and promised to update them for evacuation plans.
However, he added that despite repeated inquiries, “we have not received any concrete updates on their plans,” from the embassy.
He further criticized the Moroccan Embassy’s lack of “tangible action” to address the situation, noting that some countries like Tunisia have already announced their evacuation plans for their citizens.
“The lack of communication and action from the Moroccan embassy is deeply worrying for us, as the situation in Lebanon continues to worsen,” the student said, appealing the Moroccan government to intervene.
“I would like the Moroccan government and people to know that many Moroccan citizens in Lebanon are currently living in a state of fear and uncertainty. We are anxious about how we will safely return home,” he concluded, noting that the escalating violence is of an unpredictable nature.
Morocco’s government says it has been monitoring the situation amid the escalating violence in the region, expressing full solidarity with Lebanon.
At the 79th UN General Assembly gathering in New York, Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch conveyed Morocco’s position, calling for the respect of Lebanon’s territorial integrity and national sovereignty.
“The immense challenges facing the world require a revival of collective conscience, improvement of working methods, and reinforcement of a values-based foundation,” he said, noting that the UN faces the burden of restoring the spirit of active solidarity, collective responsibility, and genuine humanitarianism.
Read Also: Calls to Facilitate Return of Moroccans as Lebanon’s Security Situation Worsens
