UN: Civilians in Lebanon continue to be targeted despite ceasefire

UN (ANTARA) - Despite the ceasefire lasting almost a month, attacks targeting civilians and Lebanese frontline workers continue to be reported daily, humanitarian workers from the UN said on Thursday (14/5).

A series of drone strikes on vehicles in the Jiyeh area, about 20 kilometres south of the Lebanese capital, Beirut, killed at least eight people, including two children, on Wednesday (13/5), the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said, citing data from Lebanese authorities.

According to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health, at least 2,896 people, including 200 children, have been killed and more than 8,000 injured since the latest escalation of attacks began on 2 March, OCHA said.

The office said that the number of people forced to leave their homes and take refuge is also continuing to increase across Lebanon as the security situation deteriorates.

Nearly 130,000 people are currently sheltering in 632 collective shelters.

According to OCHA, new evacuation orders have been issued for eight villages in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Governorate, triggering further displacement.

“Humanitarian partners report that both newly displaced families and those returning to shelters are contributing to the increase in the number of displaced people,” OCHA said.

“Insecurity and widespread damage continue to hinder the process of safe and sustainable return for displaced people,” the agency added.

OCHA said that access to humanitarian aid and supplies remains possible but limited, especially in southern Lebanon, where damaged roads and bridges, unexploded ordnance, conflict debris and insecurity continue to hinder mobility and the recovery of essential service sectors.

Since the escalation of tensions began, 132 humanitarian aid movements carrying essential supplies have been facilitated, OCHA said.