The intensifying Israeli attacks have forced more people to flee from Lebanon to Syria in search of safety shelters to escape Israeli bombardments by tortuously passing through the blocked roads and highways. The deteriorating situation in Lebanon has forced residents to seek refuge in the neighboring country and beyond.
"The situation in southern Lebanon is horrible. Many places have been severely destroyed and are no longer suitable for living. I am bringing my kids to flee from bombings," said Mohammad, a refugee from Lebanon, who is fleeing from his hometown to Syria, and then Iraq. A Friday Israeli airstrike targeting spots near the Lebanon-Syria border has further obstructed the journey, cutting multiple main roads toward the neighboring country, leaving large craters that refugees must navigate through on foot. Syria Arab Red Crescent, UNHCR, and other NGOs have been gathering around the border to offer support. "The road here was destroyed, and we can only walk through," said Mohammad. According to Syrian media, around 91,000 Lebanon refugees have fled to Syria, with around 3,000 Lebanese managed to cross the border on Monday despite the border airstrike.
While Israeli military claimed that the airstrikes hit Hezbollah targets near the border, the aftermath hindered not only the flow of refugees, but the delivery of humanitarian aid, blocking medical and emergency supplies outside.
Massive Lebanese refugees flee to Syria to escape Israeli bombardments
Massive Lebanese refugees flee to Syria to escape Israeli bombardments
A delegation of 40 students and teachers from seven Chinese mainland universities on Thursday wrapped up their nine-day visit to Taiwan. They set off for Taiwan on Nov. 27 and visited universities, historical sites, scenic spots, as well as sports, sci-tech and cultural venues on the island, widely engaging with locals throughout the tour.
The delegation made the tour at the invitation of the Taiwan-based Ma Ying-jeou Culture and Education Foundation.
"The young people from both sides of the Strait share the same root, and we are having a harmonious communication this time. We also welcome young people from Taiwan to visit the mainland for exchange," Cao Yibo, a student from Peking University, told reporters during the tour.
The delegation included table tennis Olympic champion Ma Long who studies at Beijing Sport University, and air rifle Olympic champion Yang Qian of Tsinghua University.
"In the future, I would like to visit Taiwan again. I did not expect that so many compatriots in Taiwan would come to welcome and us and pay so much attention to our exchange tour," Ma said.
Hsiao Hsu-tsen, executive director of the Ma Ying-jeou Culture and Education Foundation, saw off the delegation at the airport on Thursday, and said the mainland students and teachers had received Taiwan residents' heartfelt welcome wherever they went.
"The farewell dinner party was held yesterday evening, when almost all students from the mainland shared their feelings. What moved me so much is that every one of them thanked people here, because the latter sincerely and warmly welcomed them wherever they went during the nine-day tour. They told me that when they go back, they will tell their relatives and friends that people in Taiwan are kind, hospitable and warm. I believe that is the most important purpose of the exchange across the Strait," he said.
Calling youth exchanges a foundation of cross-Strait relations in the future, Hsiao said the foundation will carry on and continue to promote such exchanges across the Strait.
This is the second delegation of mainland teachers and students visiting Taiwan at the invitation of the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation, following the visit by a first delegation in July last year.
Delegation of mainland university students, teachers wraps up Taiwan visit
