Mohanna: The Truth Is Heard Here Among the Displaced, Not in Hotel Corridors — We Call for International Action to Stop Israeli Violations

In a gesture of solidarity reflecting continued concern for the humanitarian situation in Lebanon, a high-level French parliamentary delegation visited the Amel Socio-Medical Development Center in Ain El Remmaneh and the Furn El Chebbak Intermediate Public School, which has been converted into a shelter hosting dozens of displaced families. The visit aimed to gain first-hand insight into the conditions of families affected by the war and to listen directly to their testimonies and needs amid ongoing displacement and the difficult security and humanitarian circumstances facing the country.

The delegation included Manon Aubry, Member of the European Parliament and Co-Chair of The Left Group in the European Parliament; Arnaud Le Gall, Member of the French National Assembly and President of the France–Lebanon Friendship Group; Andrée Taurinya, Member of the French National Assembly and Vice-President of the France–Lebanon Friendship Group; and Rima Hassan, Member of the European Parliament, accompanied by three French parliamentary assistants. All members belong to the France Unbowed (La France Insoumise) political movement.

The delegation was welcomed by Dr. Kamel Mohanna, President of Amel Association International, and members of the organization’s team. They toured the center and were briefed on its various programs before visiting the shelter, where they met displaced families and listened to personal testimonies about displacement and the daily challenges faced by residents, particularly women, children, and older persons.

The visit comes at a time when thousands of Lebanese continue to bear the consequences of war and ongoing attacks on southern Lebanon. Entire villages, homes, and livelihoods have been devastated, while many displaced families remain unable to return to their communities due to widespread destruction and the absence of basic conditions for safety and dignified living.

During the meeting, Dr. Kamel Mohanna welcomed the French delegation, stressing that their presence alongside affected communities during these difficult times carries an important humanitarian and moral message for displaced families and demonstrates that the suffering of people should neither be forgotten nor ignored by the international community.

Dr. Mohanna stated:

“We deeply appreciate your presence here today, among the people, in a shelter hosting families that have paid the price of war, displacement, and uprooting. Listening directly to people’s suffering is profoundly different from relying solely on political analyses or discussions held in hotel corridors and meeting rooms. The truth is here—in the eyes of mothers who have lost their sense of security and in the voices of children deprived of their homes, schools, and future.”

He emphasized that the targeting of civilians in southern Lebanon, the destruction of villages and infrastructure, and the obstruction of residents’ return to their lands constitute clear violations of international law and of the humanitarian values that should govern relations among states. He added that protecting civilians, ending violations, and ensuring justice are not responsibilities borne by the Lebanese people alone, but by the international community as a whole.

Dr. Mohanna also highlighted that Amel Association International, which maintains longstanding partnerships with the French people and French solidarity organizations, continues to operate on the frontlines of the humanitarian response through its centers, mobile medical units, and interventions in hundreds of shelters across Lebanon. These efforts aim to provide healthcare services, psychosocial support, and essential assistance to the most vulnerable populations.

He further stressed that Amel, as a social and humanitarian movement committed to human dignity and the rights of peoples, will continue standing alongside communities regardless of the scale of the crises or the limitations of available resources. This commitment stems from its belief that humanitarian action cannot be separated from the pursuit of justice and the defense of legitimate causes, foremost among them the Palestinian cause and the right of peoples to freedom and self-determination.

For their part, members of the delegation expressed their solidarity with both the Lebanese and Palestinian peoples. They underscored the importance of maintaining humanitarian support for affected populations, respecting international law, protecting civilians, and ensuring unhindered access to humanitarian assistance for those in need. They also paid tribute to Amel’s longstanding commitment to supporting people in all circumstances, praising an organization that for decades has remained steadfast in its principles of human rights, dignity, and equality.