Lebanon crisis: Over one million people flee strikes amid invasion fears

Reuters

More than one million people in Lebanon have been displaced by ongoing Israeli airstrikes, with fears growing of a full-scale invasion. A Monday morning airstrike hit a residential area in central Beirut, further escalating the crisis.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that 11 health workers had been killed and 10 injured between 17 and 28 September. Some 37 health centres have been forced to close due to the fighting out of 317 in total, and three hospitals treating patients have been evacuated.

“Many healthcare workers have been displaced especially in the south, Bekaa and South Beirut”, WHO reported.

WHO is continued to support Lebanon’s public health emergency response with staffing, financial and technical support, helping coordinate referrals and boosting trauma surgery capacity.

The UN Secretary-General António Guterres continues to be deeply concerned over the humanitarian repercussions of the continued bombing by Israel and rocket fire from Hezbollah, his Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said on Monday.

Briefing correspondents in New York, Mr Dujarric reiterated the UN chief’s call for de-escalation, a ceasefire and “the full implementation of Security Council resolution 1701.”

“The Secretary-General and his senior staff are in contact with our representatives on the ground, who continue to engage with all actors and all parties to appeal for diplomatic avenues to be given space.

The UN peacekeeping mission, UNIFIL, which patrols the line of separation between southern Lebanon and northern Israel remains in place but the intensity of military action is preventing "Blue Helmets" from carrying out their tasks or moving around their area of responsibility, Mr. Dujarric continued.

A Flash Appeal will be launched on Tuesday to meet the growing needs of around one million people impacted by the growing crisis. 

Tags

Comments (0)

What is your opinion on this topic?

Leave the first comment