UNITED NATIONS, Oct 24 : A displacement crisis in unfolding in Lebanon, as Israel\u2019s escalating military offensive in the south and the bombing of Beirut continues to drive both Lebanese civilians as well as third country refugees from their homes and shelters, UN agencies have warned.<\/p>\n
Intensified Israeli airstrikes on 23 September forced nearly 120,000 people to flee their homes within a week, according to UNHCR.<\/p>\n
As of 20 October, that number has spiked to 809,000 displaced within Lebanon. A further 425,000 \u2013 of whom around 70 per cent are Syrian refugees and about 30 per cent Lebanese \u2013 are estimated to have crossed from Lebanon to Syria, as of 21 October.<\/p>\n
Latest reports indicate that the rate of new arrivals across the Syrian border remains steady but has decreased compared to the initial phase of the influx.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn addition to the tragic loss of life and massive displacement, Lebanese and Syrians are experiencing a fundamental destabilization of families and communities, compounding the previous multiple crises,\u201d UNHCR said in an emergency update.<\/p>\n
It highlighted the need for a significant scaling up of sustained international support for both Lebanon and Syria to cope with the challenges and deliver emergency, lifesaving aid.<\/p>\n
About a quarter of Lebanon\u2019s total territory remains under Israeli military evacuation orders, with fresh displacement notice designating a large area within the city of Tyre in southern Lebanon, inside the area of operations of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).<\/p>\n
Tyre was then subsequently hit by numerous airstrikes.<\/p>\n
Reportedly founded by the Phoenicians in 2750 BC, the city is considered to be \u201cdirectly associated with several stages in the history of humanity\u201d according to the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, active hostilities continue between Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Hezbollah across the \u201cBlue Line\u2019\u201d of separation in southern Lebanon.<\/p>\n
On Tuesday, UNIFIL detected 1,028 trajectories of projectiles across the frontier, the majority originating from south of the Blue Line, targeting areas including Al Qawzah, Aytarun, Markaba, Tallusah, Ett Taibe, El Khiam, Kfar Kela, UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Aziz Haq told reporters at the regular news briefing in New York.<\/p>\n
Just over 80 projectiles were recorded from north of the Blue Line, he added, noting also that UNIFIL continued to record a high level of violations of Lebanese airspace.<\/p>\n
Also on Wednesday, an independent human rights expert expressed deep concern over Israel\u2019s bombing of a financial institution with links to Hezbollah in Lebanon, stating that it violated international humanitarian law by targeting civilian infrastructure.<\/p>\n
\u201cInternational humanitarian law does not permit attacks on the economic or financial infrastructure of an adversary, even if they indirectly sustain its military activities,\u201d said Ben Saul, the Special Rapporteur on human rights while countering terrorism.<\/p>\n
Israel had warned publicly that it would attack offices associated with a specific financial institution, which Israel says finances the Hezbollah organization.<\/p>\n
Saul reiterated that in armed conflict, only \u201cmilitary objectives\u201d can be attacked, defined as objects that effectively contribute to military action and whose destruction \u201coffers a definite military advantage.\u201d<\/p>\n
Unlike fighters or weapons, the mere economic activities of an adversary do not effectively contribute to military action, the Geneva-based Human Rights Council-appointed Special Rapporteur added.<\/p>\n
Concern also continues for the safety and operations of UN peacekeepers in Lebanon with the UNIFIL mission, who patrol the Blue Line and support Lebanese civilians in need.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Mission reports that the ongoing hostilities in its area of operations are continuing to affect the safety and security of peacekeepers and their ability to implement UNIFIL\u2019s mandate,\u201d Farhan Haq said.<\/p>\n
Tuesday evening (local time), UNIFIL observed the impacts of airstrikes near its headquarters and the Greenhill area close to Al Naquora, causing some damage.<\/p>\n
After midnight two UNIFIL vehicles engaged in a medical evacuation encountered a roadblock during their operation near Yarin, Farhan Haq said.<\/p>\n
The convoy was then subject to small arms fire, resulting in damage to one of the vehicles which had to be left at the location. The team managed to safely extricate themselves from the scene without any casualties.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe again remind the parties of their obligations to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and to respect the inviolability of UN premises at all times,\u201d Farhan Haq stated.<\/p>\n
\u201cUN peacekeepers continue to remain in their positions despite the very challenging situation.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
UNITED NATIONS, Oct 24 : A displacement crisis in unfolding in Lebanon, as Israel\u2019s escalating military offensive in the south and the bombing of Beirut continues to drive both Lebanese civilians as well as third country refugees from their homes and shelters, UN agencies have […]<\/p>\n
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