UN Voices Alarm over Heavy Israeli Bombardment on Beirut
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The United Nations expressed deep concern on Friday over escalating Israeli violence in Beirut following heavy bombardments targeting a civilian neighborhood, warning of increasing threats to civilian lives and regional stability.
"We are watching the developments unfolding in Beirut with great alarm," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric stated during a news briefing on Friday.
The Israeli military launched an airstrike, claiming to have targeted Hezbollah's main headquarters, marking a sharp escalation in hostilities.
Dujarric expressed the UN's concern regarding "the sharp escalation of hostilities across the Blue Line with strikes in Lebanon."
He emphasized that the heightened violence puts civilians at risk, while also threatening the broader region’s security.
"I can tell you that our peacekeeping mission here, better known as the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), continues to engage actively with the parties to help de-escalate tensions along the Blue Line and avoid further misunderstandings," Dujarric added.
The UN reiterated its backing of diplomatic efforts to end the violence, restore stability, and prevent additional humanitarian suffering.
Dujarric called for an immediate de-escalation and urged full adherence to UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which demands a cessation of hostilities between Lebanon and Israel.
Resolution 1701, adopted in August 2006, establishes a demilitarized zone between Lebanon’s Litani River and the border with occupied Palestine, excluding the Lebanese army and UNIFIL personnel.
"Despite the extremely difficult situation, peacekeepers, both military and civilian, remain committed to their mission and continue to adapt in order to deliver on their mandate amidst a very hostile environment," Dujarric stated.
When asked about the severity of the situation, he noted, "Anyone who looks at the pictures and smoke billowing from a densely populated area should be alarmed to say the least."
Additionally, Dujarric announced that Acting Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs Joyce Msuya had allocated $10 million from the UN's Central Emergency Response Fund to support humanitarian efforts in Lebanon.
"This comes in addition to $10 million released earlier this week from the Lebanese humanitarian fund," Dujarric said, adding that the UN remains committed to supporting Lebanon’s government in its relief efforts.
Since Monday, Israel has conducted heavy airstrikes on Lebanon, killing over 700 people and injuring nearly 2,200, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry.
The death toll since October 2023 has reached 1,540, with more than 77,000 people displaced from southern and eastern Lebanon.
The conflict between Hezbollah and Israel has intensified since Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza began on October 7. The Israeli war in Gaza has claimed over 41,500 lives, primarily women and children.
The international community has voiced concerns that the strikes on Lebanon could escalate the Gaza conflict into a wider regional war.