NEW YORK – Spokesperson for the UN Secretary General Stéphane Dujarric warned of the collapse of the healthcare system in Lebanon due to the continued Israeli airstrikes, according to the website of the UN.
He added that Special Coordinator for the United Nations Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert continues her close engagements with all actors, urging for an immediate ceasefire and that space be created for diplomatic initiatives.
Dujarric said that heavy strikes in both directions across the Blue Line have continued through the weekend and Monday, with casualties reported from Israeli strikes including in Beirut and southern Lebanon.
Lebanese authorities have also reported dozens of fatalities and hundreds of injuries since 3 October of this year.
UNIFIL in southern Lebanon have continued to observe heavy exchanges of fire over the weekend. Airstrikes as well as ground incursions by the Israel Defense Force (IDF) targeted multiple areas across the Blue Line.
Due to the security situation, UNIFIL personnel had to take shelter in bunkers since early morning Monday, the spokesperson added.
On the humanitarian front in Lebanon, the UN continue to be worried about the attacks on the health system, Dujarric said.
According to the Lebanese authorities, 36 incidents targeting health care facilities have been reported between October 8, 2023 and October 4, 2024.
At least 96 primary health care centers, and three hospitals, have been forced to close due to the hostilities.
Attacks have not only impacted facilities but also health personnel with the World Health Organization putting the number of health workers on duty killed in the same period to 77.
“Our health partners are supporting the Lebanese health authorities and delivering additional trauma and emergency kits to hospitals. They are also providing medicines,” Dujarric said.
“Water infrastructure is also affected to date, with at least 25 water facilities damaged. That impacts 300,000 human beings.
“We and our partners are also providing hundreds of thousands of drinking water to people in collective shelters.
“Ongoing hostilities and displacement orders continue to displace people, particularly from the south of the country and the capital’s southern suburbs. The International Organization for Migration has recorded more than 540,000 displaced people since October 8th [2023].
“Food partners report that since September 23rd, more than 500,000 received hot meals. Partners are also delivering other essential supplies.
“We and our partners, in close collaboration with the Government of Lebanon, continue to lead and coordinate relief efforts for displaced and affected people.
“The Flash Appeal we issued last week for dlrs 426 million is currently 12 percent funded with only dlrs 53 million in the bank. We urge donors to give. Give in cash and give quickly.”
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