UN agencies have called for immediate action to de-escalate tensions in the region and ensure the safety of civilians.
Speaking from Beirut after the recent Israeli attack on Lebanon, Katie Higgins, deputy representative of the United Nations Children’s Fund – UNICEF in Lebanon, described the day as “the worst day in 18 years”.
He said the consequences would be “beyond imagination” if the violence did not stop.
Israel’s latest attack on Lebanon has killed at least 492 people, including 35 children and 58 women, Lebanon’s health ministry said. Another 1,645 people were injured in the attack.
Arguments for the Law of War
Ravina Shamdasani, spokeswoman for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights – OHCHR, expressed concern about the escalation of fighting between Israel and Lebanon and called on all parties to “immediately end the violence and ensure the safety of civilians”.
Since the outbreak of war in Gaza in October (2023), there have been cross-border clashes between Israel and Hezbollah, which have intensified in recent days. Thousands of people have also been displaced in Israel and Lebanon because of them.
Tensions escalated last week when attacks targeted Hezbollah members in Lebanon, detonating communication devices such as pagers and walkie-talkies.
There are reports that over the past weekend, Hezbollah fired about 150 rockets into northern Israel.
…to be continued…