Lebanon’s densely populated capital Beirut is increasingly being targeted by Israeli airstrikes, hundreds have been killed, and over a million people have fled their homes throughout the country, with the situation for civilians on the ground in Lebanon, Gaza, Israel, and Syria worsening daily, the United Nations said on Friday.
“Just last night, Beirut was bombed again, in the heaviest strike yet on the central part of the city. At least 22 people were killed, and over 100 injured, according to the Ministry of Public Health,” said Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the UN Human Rights office, at a press conference in Geneva.
“Hezbollah and other armed groups continue to fire rockets into Israel, resulting in the first civilian fatalities in the north since the most recent escalation of hostilities between Israel and Lebanon last month.”
WHO spokesperson Christian Lindmeier, who attended the press conference with Shamdasani, said, “Since the 8th of October, 34 attacks on health (workers and facilities) have been verified by the WHO in Lebanon, resulting in 94 deaths and 74 injuries alone.”
Separately, the Israeli mission to the UN in Geneva released a statement, saying, “Israel firmly rejects the outrageous accusations laid down in the latest report of the ‘infamous’ Pillay Commission of Inquiry,” referring to the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel.
“This latest report is another blatant attempt by the commission to delegitimize the very existence of the State of Israel and obstruct its right to protect its population while covering up the crimes of terrorist organizations who not only seek Israel’s destruction – but have openly demonstrated these intentions for the world to see.”
Shamdasani, meanwhile, cited the UN Human Rights chief as reminding “all parties of their obligation” to adhere to international humanitarian law or war rules concerning the protection of civilians, civilian objects, and infrastructure.
‘Prompt investigation’
Any alleged violations must be subjected to a prompt and thorough investigation, Shamdasani said, adding that those responsible where violations are found to have taken place must be held accountable.
“The Lebanese people are bearing the brunt of this latest phase of conflict. The Ministry of Public Health says almost 400 children and women are among over 2,000 people killed since October 2023.
“There are recurring reports of essential civilian infrastructure having been struck, including hospitals, clinics, ambulances, and schools – along with destruction of housing. In all, over 100 medical and emergency workers have been killed across Lebanon since October last year,” said the UN spokesperson.
Many of those displaced have fled to Syria.
From Sept. 23 to Oct. 9, the UN has reported that over 310,000 Syrians and nearly 110,000 Lebanese citizens have crossed the border.
On Oct 9 and 10, Hezbollah said it had launched at least 360 missiles from southern Lebanon into Israel.
Two people were killed in a rocket attack on the border town of Kiryat Shmona on Oct. 9, a day after five others were injured in a rocket attack on Haifa.
“Amidst this escalating violence, we are appalled by sweeping inflammatory language on multiple sides,” said Shandasani according to the Anadolu news agency.
According to her, the Israeli government’s “Recent language threatening Lebanese people as a whole and calling on them to either rise against Hezbollah or face destruction like Gaza risks being understood as encouraging or accepting violence directed against civilians and civilian objects, in violation of international law.”
She said the ongoing UN denigration, particularly UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency), is “unacceptable.”
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