Lebanon is facing a “catastrophic” humanitarian crisis as the number of internally displaced people has reached 600,000, according to United Nations officials. The crisis has escalated amid ongoing Israeli military operations against Hezbollah, as reported by Agence France-Presse (AFP).
In a press briefing, UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Janine Hennis-Plasschaert, stated, “Lebanon is experiencing conflict and a humanitarian crisis of catastrophic proportions,” expressing hope that Israel would now support widespread calls for de-escalation. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Lebanon of “destruction and suffering similar to what is happening in Gaza” if it does not “free itself from Hezbollah.”
Since September 23, Israel has intensified its airstrikes targeting Hezbollah strongholds in Lebanon, resulting in over 1,190 deaths and displacing more than one million people, according to official figures compiled by AFP.
UN Special Coordinator Imran Riza noted that Lebanon is going through “one of the deadliest periods” in its recent history, with 600,000 internally displaced people, more than 350,000 of whom are children. “Even wars have rules,” he said.
Meanwhile, Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, stated, “We are not targeting civilians. However, if we detect Hezbollah activities or intentions to launch rockets at Israel, we will respond as any other country would.”
