Lebanon–Israel tensions escalate as Gaza sees major aid delivery

This article is published in association with United Nations.

Peacekeepers in Lebanon have reported a marked deterioration in the security situation along the Blue Line of separation, with Israeli forces intensifying their military footprint in violation of a landmark Security Council resolution, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said on Thursday.

Meanwhile, in Gaza, humanitarian teams collected hundreds of pallets of aid – including infant food and school bags – as the World Health Organization (WHO) revealed that more than 13,000 patients have now been evacuated from the enclave for urgent medical care.

Rising violence in Lebanon

UN peacekeepers with the UNIFIL mission say that while hostilities eased after the signing of a Framework Agreement in late June, the calm has proven fragile.

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Violence rose sharply in August, with the mission recording 56 projectiles from the Israeli military on 1 September alone, a figure that climbed to 84 the following day. 

No projectile launches by Hezbollah militants – who have continued to clash with Israeli forces in southern Lebanon despite a US-brokered ceasefire – have been detected since 21 June, Mr. Dujarric said.

Peacekeepers continue to record daily Israeli violations of Lebanese airspace, along with airstrikes, ground activity and naval operations. 

Of particular concern, Mr. Dujarric said, is the “continued consolidation and fortification of Israeli positions” north of the Blue Line, including new infrastructure and engineering works. 

Peacekeepers have also observed individuals who appear to be Israeli civilian personnel carrying out demolition work in support of military operations.

“There is extensive Israeli military presence north of the Blue Line, which constitutes a violation of Security Council resolution 1701 and of Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Mr. Dujarric said.

He reiterated the UN’s call “for the Israel Defense Forces to withdraw from all positions north of the Blue Line, and that will be in full accordance and respect with resolution 1701.”

Despite the tensions, UNIFIL continues its humanitarian coordination work, facilitating 20 humanitarian missions between Monday and Wednesday, 16 of them in the Mission’s western sector.

Gaza aid push continues

In Gaza, UN teams on Wednesday collected hundreds of pallets of supplies from the Kerem Shalom-Karem Abu Salem crossing, Mr. Dujarric said, including adult diapers, school bags and food for infants and young children.

Separately, WHO reported that it and its partners have supported the medical evacuation of more than 13,000 patients from Gaza since October 2023, including over 6,000 children. 

WHO stressed, however, that thousands more still urgently need specialized treatment unavailable in the enclave, and called for the reopening of the West Bank referral pathway, including to hospitals in East Jerusalem.

The UN’s Special Coordinator and humanitarian chief in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Dr. Ramiz Alakbarov, concluded a three-day visit to Gaza on Thursday, including a visit to the Emirati Field Hospital in Rafah. 

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Another bitter winter ahead

Throughout his visit, Mr. Alakbarov stressed that preparing for the rainy season and winter remains a top priority, requiring urgent donor support and the lifting of Israeli restrictions on equipment such as engine oil needed to run facilities including sewage treatment plants.

Ambulances and medical equipment remain among the items currently restricted from entering Gaza, Mr. Dujarric said, adding that these “must be urgently allowed in.”