Photo courtesy of Anadolu
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an immediate end to hostilities in southern Lebanon as Israeli military operations intensified around Nabatieh and other areas, leaving civilians dead, injured and displaced.
Through spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, Guterres expressed alarm over the growing humanitarian toll, particularly reports involving women and children caught in the attacks.
The UN chief also raised concern over strikes reportedly affecting hospitals, health workers and public facilities, as well as restrictions that could hinder humanitarian assistance from reaching affected communities.
Guterres stressed that civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected under international humanitarian law and said attacks directed against them were unacceptable.
He also called on Israel to withdraw its forces from Lebanese territory and urged all sides to respect Lebanon’s sovereignty and comply with UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which sets out the framework for security arrangements along the Israel-Lebanon border.
Lebanon’s Health Ministry said 27 people were killed and 69 others injured during three days of intensified attacks in the south, with children, women and paramedics among the casualties.
Lebanese authorities said Israeli attacks since March 2 have killed at least 4,381 people and wounded 12,402 others, while more than one million residents have been forced from their homes.
Israeli forces continue to hold positions in parts of southern Lebanon, including areas occupied for decades and locations taken during the 2023 to 2024 conflict.