Lebanon: UN agencies call for ceasefire as war worsens dire situation

A new Israeli airstrike targeted the Joussieh border post, where many Lebanese and Syrians are crossing the border to escape violence.

“Humanitarian structures were also attacked,” said Filippo Grandi, head of the United Nations refugee agency. UNHCRon a social media parcel early Saturday.

“Even fleeing (and caring for those who flee) becomes difficult and dangerous as the war continues to spread,” he said.

Daily air strikes

As daily Israeli airstrikes and bombings continue to devastate parts of the country, the humanitarian situation in Lebanon has reached levels that exceed the severity of the 2006 war, with ongoing conflicts took place leaving 2,867 dead and more than 13,000 injured since October 8, 2023, Lebanese authorities said. in Latest flash update from the United Nations humanitarian coordination office, OCHA.

Here are some highlights from that report:

• Of the 2,867 deaths and 13,047 injuries since October 8, 2023, 178 children were killed and 1,173 were injured
• According to the United Nations migration agency, IOM, a total of 842,648 people are internally displaced, of whom 52% are female and 48% are male.
• The United Nations health agency, WHO, has reported 36 attacks on health care facilities, killing 85 health workers and injuring 51 while on duty, since January 17. 9 to October 31, 2024

The situation escalated again in recent days, according to OCHA, which reported that the Israeli military issued evacuation orders for residents of Baalbek and Nabatieh, shortly before airstrikes targeted these locations, along with the first evacuation order for a refugee camp.

Bombs destroy important locations

The loss of life was exacerbated by the destruction of critical infrastructure including health care services, many hospitals being overwhelmed and urgent requests for blood donations to deal with the number of casualties. serious death.

Humanitarian Coordinator in Lebanon, Imran Riza, condemned attacks on civilians and infrastructure, calling for an immediate end to hostilities to protect vulnerable populations.

Meanwhile, United Nations agencies and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIT) 10,000 troops in southern Lebanon continue to support vulnerable populations affected by the conflict, providing essential services and supplies.

Panic spread amid evacuation orders

According to OCHA’s latest report, Israel’s successive evacuation orders on October 30 and 31 for Baalbek caused widespread panic and displaced civilians on the roads towards Zahle and Akkar. Many people spent the night in their vehicles, facing harsh weather and security conditions as they searched for safety.

The United Nations office said similar evacuation notices had been issued in various localities in the southern suburbs of Nabatieh, Tire and Beirut, adding to the crisis, but evacuation orders such as These are not issued consistently before each strike, leaving civilians insecure and vulnerable in the face of ongoing hostilities. speak.

On October 31, the Israeli military issued its first relocation order for a refugee camp – the Palestinian Rashidieh camp – along with 10 villages in southern Lebanon, forcing residents to make difficult decisions. in a context where safe haven options are limited.

This follows strikes over the past month targeting two other camps for Palestinian refugees, which were carried out without warning and with no evacuation orders, OCHA reported.

Extremely dangerous conditions

Medical first responders continue to operate in extremely dangerous situationthis agency said.

Additionally, pregnant mothers have been severely affected by escalating violence in Lebanon, according to the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, UNFPA.

According to UNFPA, which is supporting maternal health across Lebanon and Syria, the rising conflict across the country has affected more than 11,000 pregnant women, with 1,300 women expected to give birth. immediately despite heavy damage to infrastructure and health systems. psychological and logistical support for displaced and vulnerable women during the ongoing crisis.

At least one child dies every day

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) also issued a warning about the devastating physical and mental effects of the conflict on children, noting that the war had traumatized children, demonstrating deep mental suffering and physical, including anxiety, aggression, and sleep disruption.

The agency, which has provided psychological support to thousands of children, said that since October 4, 2024, every day at least one child has been killed and 10 injured in the country.

UNICEF said real recovery can only begin with a permanent ceasefire that ensures safe access to essential services for Lebanese children.

Famine increased

According to the report, food insecurity will worsen significantly due to increased conflict and economic tensions, putting Lebanon on the list of hotspots of very high concern. Latest hunger hotspots report announced by the United Nations food agency.

From April to September 2024, 1.3 million people, or 23% of Lebanon’s population, faced high levels of acute food insecurity, including 85,000 people in a state of emergency .

The report calls for expanding food aid, cash assistance and agricultural support to address the needs of communities affected by Lebanon’s escalating crisis.

Read the full report on hunger hotspots This.

Parallel economic crisis

The ongoing conflict is also deepening Lebanon’s economic crisis, with the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) reported a potential reduction in gross domestic product (GDP) of up to 15.6%.

Key sectors such as tourism and agriculture were severely affected, exacerbating inflation and destabilizing supply chains.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) reported that the escalation of the conflict is exacerbating the hardships faced by agriculture-dependent communities, exacerbating an already dire food security crisis across the country .

Israeli air strikes continue to bomb food production areas. More than 1,900 hectares of agricultural land in the south and Nabatieh provinces have been damaged or remain unharvested due to the ongoing conflict.