UNITED NATIONS, Oct 15 (IPS) – As Israel continues its siege on Lebanon’s southern borders, concerns are growing among humanitarian organizations as the number of attacks increases. The Lebanese Ministry of Health reports that approximately 2,169 people have been killed and more than 10,212 injured in the past year. The Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, Imran Riza, has described this conflict as one of the deadliest in recent history.
This morning, the Lebanese Red Cross confirmed that an airstrike in northern Lebanon ordered by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) killed 18 people and left others with serious injuries. This attack took place in Aitou, which has a Christian majority population. Previously, the IDF had focused only on Lebanon’s southern regions in an attempt to depose the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah.
On October 10, a barrage of airstrikes struck without warning the central district of Beirut, one of the most populous districts in the country. This resulted in more than 22 deaths and hundreds of injuries, marking the third major attack on Beirut since September 23. Despite the IDF’s previous claims that the strikes were only intended to attack Hezbollah’s military operations, recent hostilities have become increasingly indiscriminate, targeting densely populated areas.
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) confirmed that numerous ambulances and hospitals were affected, with health workers becoming part of the growing death toll. The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed in a report last Friday that more than 94 health workers have been killed since the start of this conflict. “The protection of citizens and health care is a legal and moral obligation that must be upheld. Attacks on healthcare cannot remain one of the defining points of conflict in this region,” said Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean.
In a statement on Sunday, the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said two army tanks, ordered by the IDF, forcibly entered Lebanon’s southern borders and destroyed the main gate of a post in Ramyah. UN Secretary General António Guterres criticized the IDF, stating that attacks on UNIFIL and other peacekeeping agencies constitute war crimes. “UNIFIL personnel and its premises should never be targeted. Attacks on peacekeepers violate international law, including international humanitarian law,” said Farhan Haq, deputy spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
UNIFIL responded to the IDF, saying: “For the fourth time in as many days, we remind the IDF and all actors of their obligations to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and property and to maintain the inviolability of UN buildings at all times respect”. They added that Israeli forces had hampered “critical” aid efforts in Meiss El Jabel.
Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, has been widely criticized by world leaders and humanitarian organizations for facilitating war crimes against civilians and aid workers. On October 5, French President Emmanuel Macron expressed concern that conditions in Lebanon would become as dire as in Gaza. US President Joe Biden has also expressed frustration in response to Netanyahu’s refusal to broker a ceasefire, urging Israel to minimize harm to Lebanese civilians.
In response, Netanyahu stated that for any possibility of peace, Lebanon must cleanse itself of Hezbollah operations. “You have the chance to save Lebanon before it falls into the abyss of a long war that will lead to destruction and suffering like we see in Gaza,” Netanyahu said.
Conditions in Lebanon are expected to become even worse in the coming winter months. According to Riza, about 80 percent of all IDP shelters in Lebanon are operating at full capacity, while the rest of unhoused civilians seek refuge on the streets or in public centers such as churches. Assessments are currently underway in an effort to identify the needs of displaced persons not housed in shelters.
Despite ongoing hostilities and access challenges, the UN is currently providing assistance to affected communities where possible. The World Food Program (WFP) has delivered more than a million hot meals and 143,000 ready-made parcels to 440 displaced persons shelters. In addition, WHO has provided medical supplies for more than 650 surgical procedures in six of Beirut’s major hospitals. UNICEF works to provide clean drinking water, protection, hygiene supplies and psychosocial support.
The UN has pledged about $426 million for relief efforts in Lebanon over the next three months. OCHA reported that only 12 percent of the appeal had been funded and only $51 million had been raised to date. “With this wave of displacement, we are seeing enormous needs… the situation is devastating. Lebanon needs more support. What has been offered so far is minimal and does not match needs. We hope that everyone will be able to scale up their support. capacity,” said Othman Belbeisi, Middle East and North Africa Director of the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
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