Lebanon’s Ambassador to South Africa, Giscard El Khoury, met with Acting Deputy Director-General for Asia and the Middle East at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), Ambassador Ntombizodwa Lallie, to deliver an urgent briefing on the grave and rapidly worsening situation in Lebanon.

According to recent United Nations updates, the renewed escalation of hostilities has displaced nearly 700,000 people—including around 200,000 children—while more than one million civilians are now directly affected by the violence. UN reports indicate at least 394 deaths and over 1,130 injuries since early March, with a significant proportion being women and children. Hostilities have intensified across southern Lebanon, Beirut’s southern suburbs, the Bekaa Valley, and other areas, overwhelming shelters and forcing many displaced families into open public spaces, streets, and seaside locations.

Ambassador Khoury detailed the severe humanitarian emergency, highlighting ongoing airstrikes, civilian casualties, destruction of infrastructure, and the urgent need for international intervention to restore stability and protect sovereignty. The Lebanese diplomat emphasised the broader regional implications and appealed for continued diplomatic support.South Africa, home to a longstanding Lebanese diaspora of approximately 30,000 people, reaffirmed its commitment to multilateral peace efforts and close bilateral ties. Pretoria has previously expressed deep concern over the attacks on Lebanon, describing them as breaches of sovereignty that destabilise the region, and has indicated readiness to contribute to mediation if requested.