UN chief demands Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon amid Nabatieh escalation

This article is published in association with United Nations.

The Secretary-General has condemned mounting civilian casualties in southern Lebanon and called on Israel to withdraw its forces from Lebanese territory, as fighting intensifies in and around Nabatieh.

Key points

• The Secretary-General has appealed for an immediate cessation of hostilities and called on Israel to withdraw its forces from Lebanese territory.
• He has condemned mounting civilian casualties and “scenes of massive destruction” from intensifying Israeli operations in and around Nabatieh.
• OCHA says around 20,000 people fled Nabatieh District last week, with healthcare in the area under increasing pressure.
• UNIFIL recorded 528 Israeli projectiles fired between Thursday and Monday and 62 airspace violations on Sunday alone – among the highest daily totals since June.

In a statement issued by his Spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, the Secretary-General said he was “deeply concerned” by the escalation of Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon, condemning “mounting civilian casualties, including women and children killed and injured in the intensifying attacks”.

He pointed to the “distress and displacement caused by the evacuation orders” and “the scenes of massive destruction and devastation” now unfolding across the district.

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The Secretary-General said he was particularly alarmed by reports of Israeli strikes affecting hospitals, healthcare workers and public institutions, along with restrictions on humanitarian access. 

All parties, he said, must comply with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, adding that “civilians and civilian objects must be protected at all times, and attacks directed against them are unacceptable”.

He appealed for an immediate cessation of hostilities, called on Israel to withdraw, and urged all sides to respect Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and to fulfil their obligations under Security Council resolution 1701 (2006). 

The UN, he said, remains committed to “supporting efforts to end the violence, protect civilians and advance a lasting solution to this conflict”.

Tens of thousands displaced

Briefing journalists in New York, Mr. Dujarric said the UN was “very concerned by the sharp escalation” seen over the weekend and into the start of the week, particularly in Nabatieh, where humanitarian colleagues report that civilians, including children, have been among those killed and injured.

According to local authorities, around 5,000 families – about 20,000 people – left Nabatieh District last week, the UN humanitarian affairs office, OCHA, reports. Healthcare in the area is also under increased pressure.

Mr. Dujarric reiterated “the need for full respect for international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians, healthcare and civilian infrastructure”, stressing that humanitarian access must be maintained to reach people affected by the renewed escalation.

UNIFIL reports surge in violations

While the reported incidents occurred outside the UN peacekeeping force’s area of operations, peacekeeping mission UNIFIL said it continues to monitor the broader deterioration of the security situation with concern.

Between Thursday and Monday, the Mission recorded a sharp rise in Israeli military activity within and around its area of operations, including ground operations, projectile fire, airstrikes and Lebanese airspace violations. 

UNIFIL detected 528 projectiles fired by the Israel Defense Forces over that period, and on Sunday, for the first time since 21 June, one projectile fired by Hezbollah.

On Sunday alone, UNIFIL recorded 62 Israeli airspace violations – among the highest daily totals since June – along with airstrikes in both sectors of its area of operations and north of the Litani River. 

Peacekeepers also reported roadblocks and checkpoints hindering their movement, with the UN calling on all parties to respect the Mission’s freedom of movement.

On the humanitarian side, UNIFIL facilitated 13 missions between Thursday and Monday in coordination with OCHA, all in its western sector.