UN: Israeli attacks in Lebanon hinder aid delivery

The UN’s humanitarian agency said on Friday (29 May) that the increasing frequency of Israeli attacks on targets in southern Lebanon is causing greater obstacles to emergency response and aid delivery.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that in the Nabatieh Governorate, attacks on Thursday (28 May) reportedly affected a main road in the Marjayoun district, critical for emergency medical evacuations, aid worker movement, and public access to essential goods and services.

On the same day, local sources reported that separate air strikes killed at least eight people in Maarakeh, South Governorate. Three others died and around 37 were injured at the Al Buss Palestinian refugee camp.

Repeated evacuation orders have forced families to leave their homes, only to return as security conditions fluctuate. Shelters in Tyre are reported to be at full capacity, with more displaced families moving north, abandoning their homes.

“Despite these challenges, the UN and its humanitarian partners continue to deliver life-saving aid across the country,” OCHA said.

Since 2 March, the World Food Programme (WFP) and its partners have distributed over 11 million hot and cold meals to conflict-affected communities, while the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and shelter partners have provided over 170,000 blankets and 130,000 mattresses to displaced families, OCHA added.

Imran Riza, the UN humanitarian coordinator for Lebanon, said on Friday he was deeply concerned about the escalating intensity of fighting and the impact of evacuation orders on communities nationwide. He referenced reports of civilians being injured in air strikes while attempting to flee areas under evacuation orders.

Citing official Lebanese data, OCHA said at least 3,355 people have been killed and 10,095 injured since the escalation began on 2 March following the US-Israel war against Iran.