By Anjali Sharma
UNITED NATIONS – UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric on Monday condemned the mounting loss of life and the increasing impact of fighting between Israel Defense Forces and militants from Hezbollah on Lebanese civilians “is of grave concern”.
“All actors must adhere to international law and protect civilians and civilian infrastructure,” he said.
He added that the UN mission which remains in place along the Blue Line of separation between the neighboring countries also continues to be impacted.
Dujarric added “In southern Lebanon, the peacekeepers report that IDF operations have continued involved clashes with Hezbollah. They also report that Hezbollah has continued to launch drones and dozens of rockets south into Israel.”
UN position near Markaba sustained damage to its containers and perimeters caused by demolition operations being carried out by Israeli forces, he noted.
He said that a nearby explosion also damaged a UN vehicle at UNIFIL’s Naqoura headquarters, with no injuries reported.
Mr. Dujarric emphasized “We urge the parties to halt the violence immediately. The United Nations continues to support efforts towards a ceasefire and a diplomatic solution,”.
UNRWA delivered medical supplies and fuel for generators to the Burj Shimali Palestinian refugee camp in Tyre on Monday and the UNICEF delivered emergency supplies to displaced men, women and children in other parts of Tyre.
On Saturday, a humanitarian convoy distributed food and hygiene kits to displaced people in shelters in the Baalbek-Hermel area. A convoy brought medical supplies to the Labweh primary healthcare centre in the Baalbek-Hermel area on Monday.
OCHA warned that the situation in Lebanon has now reached levels that exceeded the severity of the 2006 war, amid escalating hostilities, the UN Spokesperson said.
“The healthcare sector continues to face relentless attacks, with facilities, staff and resources increasingly caught in the crossfire, further straining Lebanon’s already fragile health infrastructure,” he concluded.
WHO said that 110 healthcare workers have been killed in the line of duty in Lebanon. There have been 60 attacks on healthcare facilities over the past 13 months.
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