Beirut, Lebanon - September 30, 2024

Storyline:
The Lebanese education authorities will spare no effort to ensure the continuity of education despite mass displacement caused by the conflict with Israel, Education Minister Abbas al-Halabi said in an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) on Monday.

The minister said he was working on plans to start the next school year, as fears grow among the Lebanese over the suspension of education activities due to the ongoing war and the increasing need to use schools as shelters for the displaced.

More than 450 schools across Lebanon have opened their doors to accommodate the displaced, al-Halabi told CGTN, adding the number may continue to increase.

Minister Al-Halabi pointed out that Lebanon is in an emergency situation and this requires assistance from friendly countries.

He stressed the need for financial assistance to support teachers, calling on those who have a political position not to let Lebanon's students pay the price.

The Israel Defense Forces have been carrying out an unprecedented, intensive air attack on Lebanon, dubbed "Arrows of the North", since Sept 23, after nearly a year of low-intensity cross-border exchanges of fire with Hezbollah. And in another sign of escalation, the country has launched a ground incursion into Lebanon since late Monday.

The Israeli air and ground raids have since killed 1,974 people across Lebanon, including 127 children, wounded 9,350 others, and forced more than 1.2 million civilians to flee their homes, according to the Lebanese health minister.

Shotlist:
Lebanon - Recent:
1. Various of smoke rising;
2. Various of street views;
Beirut, Lebanon - Sept 30, 2024:
3. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Abbas al-Halabi, Lebanese Minister of Education:
"We will absolutely not allow our children to miss a school year. We are determined to take all measures to ensure the continuity of the educational process, whether in primary and secondary schools, vocational schools, or universities and institutes. This is a final decision, but we are now studying how and when.";
4. Various of displaced people in temporary shelter;
5. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Abbas al-Halabi, Lebanese Minister of Education:
"There are 75,000 to 80,000 displaced people in these schools, and these numbers might increase at any moment. Every minute, I receive a call to authorize the opening of a primary and secondary school, high school or vocational school in a certain area, which means that the displacement process is still ongoing. People are afraid and are heading to shelters, thinking - and we hope that their assessment and ours are correct - that nothing will happen to the public schools.";
[SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
6. Various of displaced people in temporary shelter;
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Lebanon - Recent:
7. Statue;
8. Various of street views.

[Restrictions : No access Chinese mainland]