The result of an airstrike on the southern suburb of Beirut. Middle East: Parties to the conflict must respect international law Peace and security
UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix concludes a four-day visit to Lebanon and Israel today. His meetings in both countries took place against the backdrop of ongoing escalation and worsening humanitarian conditions in Lebanon and Gaza.
“The growing impact of the conflict on civilians remains a matter of grave concern, and we condemn all loss of life among the civilian population,” the UN press service said in a statement. “As we have repeatedly stressed, parties to the conflict must respect international law, protect civilians and civilian infrastructure. We continue to support efforts towards a ceasefire and a diplomatic solution.”
UN humanitarian agencies today reported that two convoys delivered medical supplies and hygiene kits to hospitals in Lebanon’s Baalbek-Hermel governorate, while a third convoy left for Sarafand in South Lebanon governorate with materials to support the reconstruction of a primary health care center that was severely damaged by airstrikes during the recent fighting.
The World Health Organization, UNICEF and the Lebanese Ministry of Health launched a national vaccination campaign yesterday to protect children under 10 against polio, measles, mumps and rubella. The campaign will run until the end of the year.
Meanwhile, the UN is expressing concern over the growing number of victims of Israeli airstrikes on densely populated areas of Lebanon. One of the strikes yesterday hit the Lebanese Civil Defense center in Douris, in the Baalbek-Hermel province. According to the authorities, 13 volunteers and rescuers were killed in the attack, and several more are missing.
Parties to the conflict are obliged to take all feasible precautions to protect civilians and civilian objects under their control from any attacks on the civilian population, the UN reminds.
Situation in Gaza
In Gaza, according to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, several displaced Palestinians were killed today during attacks in the central part of the enclave. Fighting continues across the Gaza Strip, including in the northern Gaza province, which remains under Israeli siege.
Between 65,000 and 75,000 Palestinians remain in northern Gaza, with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs describing the conditions they are living in as “inhumane”. The UN insists that civilians must be able to receive aid, given the hardships northern Gaza has endured for the past five weeks. Civilians must be protected whether they move or stay. They must be given the opportunity to leave for safer areas and return as soon as circumstances allow.
The World Health Organization says Israeli authorities continue to deny the agency’s requests for access to Kamal Adwan and Al-Awda hospitals in northern Gaza. Last week, all three attempts to send an international emergency medical team to Kamal Adwan were blocked. WHO plans to send another team in the coming days to deliver medical supplies and 10,000 litres of fuel. UN partners are also planning a two-day mission to expand services in Gaza province.
The ongoing Israeli siege in northern Gaza is having a devastating impact on children suffering from acute malnutrition. Children, pregnant and breastfeeding women there are currently unable to access additional nutrition assistance.