UN Calls for Civilian Protection after Deadliest Day of Israeli Violence against Lebanon
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The United Nations called for the protection of civilians following Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon, marking the deadliest escalation in years, with rising casualties and mass displacements.
The UN human rights office issued a statement urging all parties involved in the conflict between Israel and Lebanon to ensure the protection of civilians.
“This is the deadliest day of violence in years,” the statement noted, in reference to Monday’s air attacks by Israel on Lebanon.
UN spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani emphasized the need for compliance with international humanitarian law.
“International humanitarian law is very clear. All parties to an armed conflict must at all times distinguish between the civilian population and combatants and between civilian objects and military objectives,” Shamdasani stated.
She further stressed, “Constant care must be taken to spare the civilian population and civilian objects. The laws of war also oblige all parties to observe the principle of proportionality.”
The statement called for thorough, independent, and transparent investigations into incidents where civilians were killed or seriously injured.
Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that at least 492 people have been killed since Monday, including 35 children and several medical personnel.
Nasser Yassin, the Lebanese minister managing the crisis response, told Reuters that 89 temporary shelters had been established in schools and other facilities across the country.
According to Yassin, these shelters can accommodate more than 26,000 people who have fled Israeli atrocities.
The recent wave of Israeli airstrikes forced tens of thousands of people to evacuate their homes with little time to gather their belongings, following orders from the Israeli military.
Eyewitnesses in southern Lebanon described the chaos as people hurriedly packed whatever they could and moved north, some traveling as far as Beirut, while others went to the city of Sidon, roughly 40 kilometers south of the capital.
Families were gripped by fear as airstrikes hit indiscriminately, including along the main highway connecting southern Lebanon to Beirut.
Shelters have been set up in schools, as the Lebanese government prepares to provide assistance to approximately 10,000 people. However, with the escalating situation, officials fear many more will require aid.
Lebanon, already suffering from a collapsed economy and near-bankruptcy, faces additional challenges as the number of displaced people grows. Over 110,000 people have already been displaced from border villages due to nearly 11 months of fighting.
The UN has indicated that approximately 150,000 people live within 10 kilometers of the border and have been directly affected by the Israeli violence.
Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad provided an updated death toll, stating that the number of fatalities from Israeli attacks had risen to 558, including 50 children and 94 women.
At least 1,835 individuals have been wounded in airstrikes that targeted Beirut and southern regions of Lebanon.
