The United Nations expressed concern about growing tensions in Lebanon following the strikes launched by Israel on the southern suburb of the Lebanese capital, Beirut, on Sunday evening.
This came in a press statement by the spokesman for the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Farhan Haq, on Monday, in which he said that the Israeli army had issued orders to displace 17 towns in southern Lebanon.
Despite Iran’s warning against targeting the southern suburb, Israel ignited the region again by launching, on Sunday evening, an attack on the capital’s suburb that killed two and wounded 11.
At the same time, Tehran responded with missile launches at Israel, which then announced that its fighters had bombed military targets in western and central Iran.
The UN official called on the parties to exercise maximum restraint and avoid any actions that exacerbate the already tense situation.
He stressed the need not to target civilians and civilian infrastructure, adding: “We are concerned about the devastating impact of the ongoing conflict on civilians.” He stated that the new evacuation order issued by the Israeli army for 17 areas in southern Lebanon includes forced displacement, and casts doubt on the possibility of its implementation under international humanitarian law.
He pointed out that the United Nations peacekeeping forces (UNIFIL) in Lebanon monitored 201 Israeli violations of Lebanese airspace, including helicopters and fighters, recording a total of about 288 flight hours over the weekend.
He explained that UNIFIL is still affected by conflicts in the region, and that the Israeli army continues to obstruct the movements of its personnel from time to time.
