UNITED NATIONS, Oct 18 (IPS) – Frequent airstrikes during Israel’s invasion of southern Lebanon have destroyed civilian infrastructure, only contributing to rising rates of civilian casualties and displacement. Humanitarian groups fear that if a ceasefire is not reached soon, the situation in Lebanon could soon resemble that in Gaza.
The United Nations has urged Israeli forces to consider a ceasefire, and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) is stationed on the border to document security breaches and try to maintain peace. On October 16, UNIFIL reported a series of airstrikes against the town of Nabateeh and surrounding areas in southern Lebanon.
The attack left 15 civilians dead, including Mayor Ahmad Kahil and members of the disaster risk management unit, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry. Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemned the attack, accusing the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) of deliberately targeting the parliament session. Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, the UN special coordinator for Lebanon, called Wednesday’s attack a “violation of international humanitarianism.”
Before the escalation of hostilities in Lebanon over the past two weeks, an IDF spokesman informed reporters that the strikes would only target Hezbollah’s military operations. However, recent airstrikes have been carried out indiscriminately, targeting densely populated areas.
“We know that Hezbollah is using civilian facilities on many occasions,” said Danny Danon, Israel’s representative to the United Nations.
Since the escalation of hostilities, there has been a surge in internally displaced people in Lebanon. UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Ted Chaiban told reporters on Wednesday that the conflict has displaced more than 1.2 million people, including more than 400,000 children. Disaster shelters are stretched to their limits, with more than 85% of all shelters operating at full capacity. Thousands of people are seeking shelter on the streets or in public centres.
The escalation of hostilities has taken a significant toll on Lebanon’s healthcare system. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 23 attacks on health facilities have been reported in the past month and 100 hospitals in conflict-affected areas have been closed.
“Attacks on health services weaken health systems and impede their ability to continue to do their jobs. They also prevent entire communities from accessing health care when they need it most,” said Dr. Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean.
The collective mental health of Lebanese civilians in hard-hit areas has declined significantly. Chaiban said this is especially difficult for children. “The psychological toll, especially on young people, is enormous. Children are now grappling with nightmares of bombings, the loss of loved ones and the disappearance of their homes and schools,” he said.
Additionally, the influx of injured civilians has created a huge need for medicine, surgical supplies, and psychosocial support. WHO and the Lebanese Red Cross are working with the Lebanese Ministry of Health to provide local hospitals with adequate supplies and establish trauma centres.
The International Committee of the Red Cross sent a team of 22 medics with experience treating devastating injuries to Beirut’s Rafik Hariri University Hospital.
“Our surgical teams and medical supplies will help ease the burden on health workers, but sustained, safe humanitarian assistance is urgently needed,” said Simone Casabianca-Aeschlimann, ICRC Lebanon team leader.
Humanitarian groups fear that living conditions will worsen further in the coming winter. The United Nations and its agencies, including WHO, UNICEF and the World Food Program (WFP), are mobilizing to scale up response efforts as the situation continues to evolve. There have been calls for flexible funding for humanitarian efforts, with UNICEF requesting $105 million over the next three months, but only 8% is currently supported. The United Nations is urging donors to contribute as hostilities show no signs of stopping anytime soon.
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