UNITED NATIONS, Sep 25 (IPS) – Israel launched a series of bombardments in southern Lebanon yesterday, killing more than 500 people and wounding more than 1,800, Lebanon’s Health Ministry said. It has been described as the deadliest day for the country since the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah and is just the latest in a series of clashes between Israel and Lebanon since the outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas in October last year.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned Lebanese civilians to flee the targeted areas, claiming the bombardments were aimed at the Iran-linked militant group Hezbollah. He added that the barrage was intended to “restore the security balance,” referring to Hezbollah firing rockets at eight different military bases in Israel. Israeli authorities claim the recent airstrikes killed Hezbollah rocket commander Ibrahim Aqil.
For the past year, Israeli authorities have routinely issued evacuation orders for civilians in the Gaza Strip, but yesterday was the first time an evacuation order has been issued in Lebanon. This has raised concerns among Lebanese officials and the United Nations (UN) that an escalation of rocket attacks could occur in the near future.
Israeli army chief of staff Herzi Halevi informed reporters that Israel is determined to accelerate offensive actions in Lebanon. Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Daniel Hagari added that Israel is focused on an “air campaign only,” but did not rule out the possibility of a ground invasion, saying “we will do whatever it takes.”
Yesterday’s attack has sparked massive internal displacement across Lebanon. “Tens of thousands of people were displaced from their homes yesterday and overnight, and the numbers continue to grow,” said Matthew Saltmarsh, spokesman for the UN refugee agency. Heavy movement has been seen in the Beirut and Mount Lebanon regions as thousands of civilians rush to flee the rocket-targeted areas. Yesterday, the Lebanese government issued a statement saying that schools would be designated as emergency shelters in the aftermath of the bombing.
Bassam Mawalawi, the Minister of Interior and Municipalities in Lebanon, informed reporters that more than 20,000 displaced people are currently taking shelter in Lebanon’s public schools, universities and other designated public centers. The Lebanese Civil Defense stated today that they are currently distributing drinking water to these shelters.
The United Nations is currently working to secure a ceasefire before this conflict escalates into war. “The Secretary-General notes the continued efforts of the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon and the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon to reduce tensions and reiterates the urgent need for de-escalation and that all efforts must be focused on a diplomatic solution,” Stéphane Dujarric, spokesman for the Secretary-General, said in a press conference yesterday.
Additionally, Pentagon Press Secretary Pat Ryder informed reporters that the United States is deploying a “small number of additional U.S. troops” to Israel and Lebanon in an effort to de-escalate tensions. UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeannine Hennis-Plasschaert is currently in talks with Israeli authorities in an attempt to find a diplomatic solution. Chief of Mission and Force Commander Lt. Gen. Aroldo Lázaro has also been corresponding with both Israeli and Lebanese officials.
The UN estimates that around $50 million will be needed to fund humanitarian efforts in Lebanon for the next two to four weeks. Essential services, such as food and shelter deliveries, are desperately needed as makeshift shelters struggle to accommodate the influx of thousands into southern Lebanon. The UN is encouraging donor support as tensions between the parties continue to rise.
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