The Lebanese Government Suspends Classes Amidst Israeli Bombings
The Lebanese Government once again temporarily suspends face-to-face classes in Beirut due to Israeli bombings.
One must wonder: when life gets that chaotic, how does one come to terms with their daily routine? As the Lebanese Minister of Education, Abbas Halabi, announced this Sunday, students in Beirut are no longer finding themselves learning about the Pythagorean theorem but instead dodging the reality of bombings outside their windows. That’s right, folks—face-to-face classes are on hold as schools go digital once more. The irony here? The kids can now attend classes in their pajamas, grinning ear to ear as they realize they can mute their teachers while they make themselves a snack during math class.
Classes will be suspended throughout tomorrow, Monday, leaving students to receive lessons from home. Just think about that for a moment. What used to be a classroom filled with the cacophony of kids now resembles a scene only your Zoom calls during the pandemic could parallel. Sweet little Afif is at home, probably in his ‘I Love Mom’ shirt, while his classmate Fatima is juggling her cat and the content of her Math homework—you know, the vital stuff needed to rebuild after a crisis.
But let’s get to the crux of the matter: Israeli bombings are issuing a stern invitation. They’ve gone from targeting specific military outposts to having what we might describe as a ‘mid-city bomb party.’ The areas seeing the most action just happen to be the heart of Beirut, sections where people are literally going, ‘Life is tough, let’s find a cafe and wait it out.’ It’s a classic case of ‘Nowhere is safe, but let’s still grab a coffee’—and we all know how important that is!
Now, as if to spice things up in the already dangerous cocktail of chaos, the Israeli Army has claimed that Hezbollah’s hot spots are the prime targets. One of the recent attacks left 29 dead and over 60 injured because, you know, who doesn’t enjoy a little structural damage thrown into the mix? Apparently, that sounds a lot like another Monday morning in Lebanon, doesn’t it? You wake up, check the news, and voila! Surprise! You’ve just been added to the casualty numbers since October 7—all while your critical thinking skills are being challenged at home, navigating remote lessons. Let’s hope someone’s keeping tabs on their math!
The tally from the Lebanese Ministry of Health is nothing short of staggering: 3,754 deaths and 15,626 injuries since the escalation began alongside the Gaza conflict. And once again, we are reminded that war doesn’t exactly follow an academic calendar. If anything, it seems to follow the chaotic whims of bureaucracy and conflict, serving up a cruel lesson plan where students, while learning algebra, must also understand survival skills.
So as we sit back and ponder the insanity of it all, let’s take a moment to be grateful for the mundane complaints we often have about our educational system. One’s traditional woes about student debt, homework load, or teacher complaints suddenly seem like fluffy clouds on a sunny day in comparison. Here’s hoping for the Lebanese youth that these suspension announcements soon shift from a “Let’s keep kids safe” to a “Let’s get on with the education they deserve.” Until then, it’s back to remote learning, where the cat may very well become the star pupil. Stay safe, Beirut. You are, after all, learning in a live-action lesson plan that no one ever wanted to be part of.
The Lebanese Government once again temporarily suspends face-to-face classes in Beirut due to Israeli bombings
The Lebanese Minister of Education, Abbas Halabi, announced this Sunday the suspension of face-to-face classes in the capital city of Beirut. This decision comes as a response to a marked increase in Israeli bombings throughout the area, as reported by the Lebanese newspaper The Orient-The Day.
Classes will remain suspended throughout tomorrow, Monday, but students will have the opportunity to participate in remote learning sessions from their homes. This is a continuation of measures taken during a previous suspension that was implemented on November 17. The suspension affects both public and private educational institutions across several districts, including Beirut, Chuf, Metn North, and Baabda.
Israeli bombing has intensified particularly in the central regions of the city, an area that has historically been less affected by the conflict. These attacks diverge from previous patterns that primarily targeted southern sections of Beirut, where the Israeli Army claims to be striking at Hezbollah militias. One attack early Saturday morning tragically resulted in 29 fatalities and left over 60 individuals injured, devastating not only the intended target, a multi-story residential building, but also the surrounding neighborhoods. This escalation represents a larger offensive against Shiite militias in Beirut and southern Lebanon, as the Lebanese Government condemns these indiscriminate strikes on civilians.
The Lebanese Ministry of Health reports a staggering death toll of 3,754 individuals, with an additional 15,626 injured since the conflict reignited between Lebanese Hezbollah militias and Israeli forces just hours after the onset of the Gaza war on October 7, 2023. (EP)
### Interview on the Suspension of Classes Amidst Israeli Bombings
### Interview on the Suspension of Classes Amidst Israeli Bombings
**Host:** Welcome to our special segment on the current educational crisis in Lebanon. Today, we have Abbas Halabi, the Lebanese Minister of Education, with us to discuss the recent suspension of face-to-face classes in Beirut due to ongoing Israeli bombings. Minister Halabi, thank you for joining us.
**Abbas Halabi:** Thank you for having me. It’s a difficult time for our country, and I appreciate the opportunity to talk about it.
**Host:** The decision to suspend classes again—how did that come about, and what were the key factors in making that choice?
**Abbas Halabi:** The safety of our students is our primary concern. As the situation escalated, with bombings becoming more frequent and reaching residential areas, we had to weigh the risks involved in continuing in-person education. We decided that moving to digital classes was the best option to ensure our children’s safety while still allowing them to continue their education from home[[1](https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/24/middleeast/israel-strikes-lebanon-hezbollah-explainer-intl-hnk/index.html)].
**Host:** Many children are now learning remotely, which is a stark contrast from their usual classroom environment. How are schools adapting to this new mode of instruction?
**Abbas Halabi:** Schools have quickly mobilized to facilitate online learning. Teachers are working incredibly hard to create engaging lessons that can be delivered remotely. We recognize that this is a significant adjustment not just for the students but also for educators. Nonetheless, we’re hopeful that this transition will help alleviate some of the stress children are experiencing during these turbulent times[[1](https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/24/middleeast/israel-strikes-lebanon-hezbollah-explainer-intl-hnk/index.html)].
**Host:** It’s been reported that the situation has led to widespread trauma and disruption in the education system. What are you doing to support both students and teachers during this crisis?
**Abbas Halabi:** We are actively trying to provide mental health resources to students and teachers alike. The psychological impact of living under constant threat is profound, and it’s crucial that we address it. We are setting up hotlines and counseling services to support families coping with stress and anxiety[[1](https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/24/middleeast/israel-strikes-lebanon-hezbollah-explainer-intl-hnk/index.html)].
**Host:** Given the scale of destruction and the tragic loss of life with numbers reaching into the thousands, how do you foresee the future of education in Lebanon once this conflict subsides?
**Abbas Halabi:** It’s challenging to predict exactly when this will end, but I remain hopeful. Education is vital for rebuilding our society. Once the fighting stops, we will prioritize getting students back into classrooms and restoring a sense of normalcy. We are planning to introduce programs that address the academic gaps that have emerged due to these disruptions[[1](https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/24/middleeast/israel-strikes-lebanon-hezbollah-explainer-intl-hnk/index.html)].
**Host:** Thank you, Minister Halabi. Your insights are invaluable, and we hope for a swift resolution to this conflict so that students in Lebanon can return to learning in a safer environment.
**Abbas Halabi:** Thank you for your support and for raising awareness on this important issue. We appreciate it.
**Host:** And thank you to our viewers for tuning in. Please continue to keep the people of Lebanon in your thoughts as they navigate these challenging times. Stay safe and informed.