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Senegal Repatriates Citizens Amid Escalating Lebanon Conflict
DAKAR (Reuters) – In a poignant scene at the Leopold Sedar Senghor International Airport, Hussein Hachem embraced his 11-year-old daughter Mariam, who arrived in Senegal with injuries sustained during the ongoing conflict in Lebanon. Tragically, Hachem’s 14-year-old son lost his life when their home was destroyed in a bombing.
As Israeli military operations intensified in southern Lebanon and the southern suburbs of Beirut, a government-organized flight brought 117 Senegalese citizens back to their homeland. Among these returnees, Mariam suffered a broken foot, a painful reminder of the chaos engulfing their home.
In an emotional statement, Hachem expressed his devastation: “I lost everything. I lost my son. I lost my house. All my dreams.” He recounted the heartbreaking moment just before the bombing when he had spoken with his son, who asked if his father would come to get him. Moments later, Hachem received the tragic news that their home had been destroyed and his son was gone.
Senegal is home to a significant Lebanese diaspora and has deep historical connections to both Lebanon and Palestine. The Senegalese government has publicly condemned the Israeli strikes targeting civilians in Lebanon and the widespread destruction of infrastructure. Foreign Minister Yassine Fall emphasized this condemnation during an interview with Reuters, noting the emotional toll of the ongoing violence.
According to Fall, approximately 1,000 Senegalese nationals had been residing in Lebanon prior to the conflict, with some departing before the government organized the evacuation flight. She further underscored Senegal’s long-standing support for the Palestinian people, a commitment dating back to 1975 when Senegal assumed the presidency of the United Nations Committee for the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People.
Speaking on the humanitarian crisis, Fall expressed profound concern about the situation in Gaza, stating, “We are very, very disappointed to see the world watching a genocide happen under our eyes.” She highlighted the plight of civilians, including children, caught in the crossfire and denied medical care. The Senegalese government, alongside other countries, has characterized the events as genocide, calling for an end to the violence.
In response, Israel has dismissed claims of genocide, particularly those brought by countries such as South Africa at the International Court of Justice, asserting that its military actions are defensive measures following an attack by Hamas militants on October 7, 2023. This attack, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 individuals and the abduction of around 250 hostages, has led to an escalation of conflict extending from Gaza into Lebanese territory.
Earlier in the day, Dakar witnessed demonstrations focusing on Israel’s military actions in both Gaza and Lebanon, with protesters advocating for a ceasefire and calling attention to the ongoing crisis. The situation remains fluid as geopolitical tensions continue to unfold.
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