INTERVIEW - Lebanon needs urgent help as Israeli assault destroying economy, workforce: Minister

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

GENEVA (AA) – Lebanese Labor Minister Moustafa Bayram has called for international support to address the unprecedented crisis impacting Lebanon's economy and workforce as Israel escalates its attacks on the country.

"More than 15,000 small and medium enterprises were destroyed, and more than a quarter million of the population lost their work and their incomes," Bayram told Anadolu in an interview.

"So in this situation, we need urgent aid and urgent support from friendly and brotherly countries."

He stressed that Israeli forces "are targeting civilians, economic infrastructure and also the vital infrastructure for the livelihood of civilian people."

Israeli strikes across Lebanon have killed nearly 3,200 people and wounded more than 13,800 since last year, according to Lebanese figures, with no signs of Tel Aviv ending its assault despite international warnings that the Middle East is on the brink of a regional war.

Bayram praised countries that have begun to offer aid, including Türkiye, and highlighted the Paris conference as an example of pledges that have been made, but expressed concern over the pace and volume of aid delivery.

"Until now, this aid … is not being channeled in a very big quantity or in a practical way," he said, calling for aid to materialize on the ground to make a tangible impact.

"We hope that this kind of aid and the intention to get aid into Lebanon would be really strengthened and continues ... The whole international community can increase its help and the humanitarian aid for Lebanon."

Lebanon's refugee population compounds the crisis, Bayram explained, pointing out that the country is already hosting large numbers of Palestinian and Syrian refugees, placing an immense burden on infrastructure and resources.

"Lebanon doesn't only have (1.2 million) displaced people (due to war). We have also Syrian refugees and Palestinian refugees … The Syrian refugees are about one-third of the population of Lebanon," he said, asserting that Lebanon is shouldering a refugee population disproportionate to its size and economic capacity.

- Cease-fire 'priority' for economic recovery

Bayram emphasized that a cease-fire is Lebanon's top priority to establish stability and formulate a national emergency recovery plan.

At the moment, the minister explained, officials cannot even be at the ministry's headquarters due to Israel's ongoing attacks.

"We are working from different places," he said, highlighting the challenges Lebanon faces in formulating a structured emergency response plan while Israel continues its attacks.

Bayram expressed frustration over what he sees as inconsistent international responses to Israeli actions, stressing the need for accountability under international law.

"International resolutions have been enforced on some people or some countries and not on others. We insist that the international community should deal with this and put more pressure on Israel to stop its aggression," he said.

Without a shift in international focus to address the causes of the conflict, long-term solutions would remain elusive, he said, adding that there needs to be a focus on addressing "why we reached this situation."

- Pager attacks created 'a sense of phobia'

The minister underscored the widespread fear instilled among workers who now avoid essential devices, fearing they could explode following two waves of blasts on Sept. 17 and 18 targeting pager and ICOM wireless communication devices in Lebanon.

The explosions killed dozens and injured thousands, with Lebanon and Hezbollah holding Israel responsible for the attacks.

People are afraid that pagers or any electronics can become explosives, so there are hospital workers, nurses and emergency personnel who are too afraid to use them, said Bayram.

"This has led to a sense of phobia among most people regarding any electronic device – cell phones, televisions, remote controls," he said.

Such fear has shaken confidence in supply chains, work environments and overall safety in Lebanon, he added, warning that the entire economic framework is now under strain.

Beyond the immediate impacts on labor, he pointed to the long-term effects on Lebanon's economy and stability.

"This situation affects work stability ... and will affect also the trust in supply chains and trade and in the whole process of trade and safety," he noted.

Bayram also shared a summary of Lebanon's recent complaint to the ILO, urging the organization to condemn Israel's ongoing assault and "take necessary punitive measures."

Israel's attacks undermine confidence in global economies and set "a very dangerous precedent in international relations" that could exacerbate tensions worldwide, read the document.

"As a preventive measure, we ask that these acts be condemned and prevented to avert further tensions in the world," the complaint continues.