Key points<\/p>\n
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 \u201cscenes of massive destruction\u201d 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 \u2013 among the highest daily totals since June.<\/p>\n
In a statement issued by his Spokesperson, St\u00e9phane Dujarric, the Secretary-General said he was \u201cdeeply concerned\u201d by the escalation of Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon, condemning \u201cmounting civilian casualties, including women and children killed and injured in the intensifying attacks\u201d.<\/p>\n
He pointed to the \u201cdistress and displacement caused by the evacuation orders\u201d and \u201cthe scenes of massive destruction and devastation\u201d now unfolding across the district.<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0<\/p>\n
All parties, he said, must comply with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, adding that \u201ccivilians and civilian objects must be protected at all times, and attacks directed against them are unacceptable\u201d.<\/p>\n
He appealed for an immediate cessation of hostilities, called on Israel to withdraw, and urged all sides to respect Lebanon\u2019s sovereignty and territorial integrity and to fulfil their obligations under Security Council<\/a> resolution 1701<\/a> (2006).\u00a0<\/p>\n The UN, he said, remains committed to \u201csupporting efforts to end the violence, protect civilians and advance a lasting solution to this conflict\u201d.<\/p>\n Tens of thousands displaced<\/p>\n Briefing journalists in New York, Mr. Dujarric said the UN was \u201cvery concerned by the sharp escalation\u201d 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.<\/p>\n According to local authorities, around 5,000 families \u2013 about 20,000 people \u2013 left Nabatieh District last week, the UN humanitarian affairs office, OCHA<\/a>, reports. Healthcare in the area is also under increased pressure.<\/p>\n Mr. Dujarric reiterated \u201cthe need for full respect for international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians, healthcare and civilian infrastructure\u201d, stressing that humanitarian access must be maintained to reach people affected by the renewed escalation.<\/p>\n UNIFIL reports surge in violations<\/p>\n