Buildings destroyed in the southern suburbs of Beirut after Israeli strikes, March 12, 2026. (Credit: Mohammad Yassin/L'Orient-Le Jour)
BEIRUT — The Union of Municipalities of Beirut’s Southern Suburbs on Sunday called on educational institutions to postpone the resumption of in-person teaching, following reports that some private schools intended to reopen and ask students, teachers, and administrative staff to return to campus. The union stressed that distance learning remains an appropriate alternative under the current circumstances.
While most public schools have suspended classes and are hosting people displaced by the war between Israel and Hezbollah, Beirut’s southern suburbs were heavily struck by Israeli airstrikes during the war, from March 2 to April 17, when a fragile cease-fire took effect. The cease-fire was initially set for 10 days, then extended by three weeks following a Lebanese-Israeli meeting in Washington.
In a statement issued Sunday, the union said the conditions that prompted the suspension of classes have not changed, adding that the ongoing truce “is not sufficient to provide reassurance” given continued security instability. It warned that any sudden deterioration could trigger “confusion and panic” in schools and put the safety of students and staff at risk.
The union added that the relevant educational authorities have not, at this stage, recommended a return to in-person teaching. It also noted that many families remain displaced, making it difficult to ensure a normal resumption of the academic year.
Calling on school administrations to show restraint, the union urged them to postpone any decision to reopen “until the situation becomes clearer and a minimum level of stability and security is guaranteed.”
