The location where the attack took place is located some distance from the area of operations of the United Nations Mission in Lebanon (UNIFIL). Many journalists and other media workers lived in this building.
Briefing journalists on Friday, UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haque said journalists are protected under international humanitarian law, but when they are targeted, our fundamental rights to freedom of information and expression are also attacked.
“All parties involved in this violent conflict must fulfill their obligations under international humanitarian law.”
He said there have been incidents of direct or indirect firing on UN peacekeepers and their deployments, which has increased the risk for them.
The mandate of the UNIFIL mission is to ensure the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Blue Line, the line separating Israel and southern Lebanon, and the establishment of Lebanese government rule in the region.
In recent weeks, UN peacekeepers have been attacked by Israeli military forces. UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haque has called for an end to the fighting in Lebanon and to find a diplomatic solution to the violent conflict.
Critical humanitarian situation
Amid the ongoing conflict in Lebanon, the United Nations, along with its partner agencies, is working across the country to provide assistance to those in need.
On Friday, a humanitarian convoy of UN agencies and non-governmental organizations delivered vital relief including food, hygiene kits and solar-powered lamps to Nabatih Governorate.
Meanwhile, in southern Lebanon, the United Nations Children’s Fund provided supplies to repair damaged water plants, potentially helping more than 3.5 million people.
The World Health Organization is providing support to Lebanese health authorities to vaccinate displaced children against polio, measles and rubella in the camps.
Displacement is not stopping
Due to the violent conflict, people continue to be massively displaced in Lebanon and are also moving to Syria in search of refuge.
According to one estimate, 833,000 people have been displaced along the Lebanese border so far. Apart from them, more than 4.25 lakh people have taken refuge in Syria, most of whom are Syrian nationals living in Lebanon.
On Tuesday, Israeli airstrikes hit the main road at the Masna checkpoint near the border between Lebanon and Syria, the second in three weeks. Deteriorating conditions have made it difficult to travel on this important route.