By Anjali Sharma
UNITED NATIONS – UN officials in southern Lebanon on Friday expressed alarm over an Israeli strike that hit an apartment building in southern Lebanon, killed 3 journalists and wounded 3 others.
UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq told reporters in New York that the strike occurred in Hasbaya in Nabatiyeh, outside the area of operations of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon.
He added that the building housed several journalists and other media personnel.
Haq expressed “When journalists, protected under international humanitarian law, are targeted, so too are our fundamental rights to the freedom of information and expression.”
Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, and Imran Riza, the Humanitarian Coordinator in the country, also echoed the concerns.
“All parties in conflict must uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law,” Mr. Haq added.
UNIFIL peacekeepers are still being impacted by hostilities in the Mission’s area of operations, with “repeated incidents of direct and indirect fire” on UN positions, endangering peacekeepers, Mr. Haq continued.
UNIFEL was established and mandated by the UN Security Council is tasked to monitor the cessation of hostilities following the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah, confirmed the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon, and assisting the Lebanese government in restoring its authority in the area.
Its area of operation extends from the “Blue Line” of separation between Lebanon and Israel in the south, to the Litani River in north.
UN personnel at a permanent observation post near Dhayra, located 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) inside southern Lebanon, came under fire from Israel Defense Forces soldiers on October 22
UNIFIL position near Mays al-Jabal sustained damage from indirect fire, damaging a prefabricated building on Oct 24.
The airstrikes damaged a UN vehicle inside a UN position near Kfar Shuba, while a UN position near Burj Qallawiyah sustained minor damage from airstrikes impacting about 300 meters away.
“All actors are reminded of their obligation to ensure the safety and security of peacekeepers,” Mr. Haq stated, reiterated the urgent need for a ceasefire and a diplomatic solution to this conflict.
“The Office of the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon and UNIFIL remain on the ground and ready to support such efforts.”
UN and other humanitarians are boosting up their efforts to reach people in need around the country.
A joint humanitarian convoy, comprised UN agencies and NGOs, delivered critical aid to Nabatieh governorate, including ready-to-eat meals, hygiene kits and solar lamps.
(UNICEF provided supplies to repair damaged water facilities, benefiting over 360,000 people affected by ongoing bombardment.
WHO is assisting Lebanese health authorities in vaccinating displaced children in shelters against polio, measles, mumps, and rubella.
The hostilities continue to fuel displacement across Lebanon and into neighboring Syria.
Over 833,000 people have been displaced within Lebanon and a 440,000 the majority of them Syrian refugees have fled into Syria, despite dangerous conditions.
Israeli airstrike at the main road at the Masnaa border crossing between Lebanon and Syria the second in less than three weeks rendering the vital route impassable.
Adam Abdelmoula, UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Syria, said in a statement on Thursday that “In addition to blocking the flow of life-saving humanitarian aid, this latest attack is forcing parents to carry their children and belongings as they navigate their way between two huge craters in the road in a bid to seek safety.”
“It is unacceptable for this critical lifeline for tens of thousands of civilians, including women and children, to be struck – not once, but twice. There have also been airstrikes close to other border crossings between the two countries.”
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