UN expresses “serious concern” over civilian suffering in Lebanon

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric expressed “serious concern” on Monday about the growing impact of the Israel-Hezbollah conflict on the country’s civilians, condemning the escalating loss of life.

“All actors must adhere to international law and protect civilians and civilian infrastructure,” Dujarric said, noting that UN peacekeepers stationed along the Blue Line – the de facto border between Lebanon and Israel – were also affected by hostilities.

Dujarric called on both sides to immediately cease hostilities, saying “the UN continues to support efforts for a ceasefire and a diplomatic solution.”

He pointed to the ongoing operations of the Israeli army in southern Lebanon and the continuous launching of drones and rockets by the Lebanese group Hezbollah towards Israel.

On Saturday, a UN position near Markaba suffered damage to its containers and perimeters caused by demolition operations carried out by Israeli troops.

A nearby explosion also damaged a UN vehicle at the headquarters of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in Naqoura, with no injuries reported.

Regional tensions have escalated over Israel’s brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip, which killed nearly 43,400 people, mostly women and children, following an attack by the Palestinian group Hamas last October.

As the conflict has spread across Lebanon, with Israel launching deadly strikes across the country, more than 3,000 people have been killed and nearly 13,500 injured since last year, according to Lebanese health authorities.

Despite international warnings that the Middle East region is on the brink of a regional war amid Israel’s relentless attacks on Gaza and Lebanon, Tel Aviv widened the conflict by launching a ground assault on southern Lebanon on October 1.