In a recent government meeting, significant humanitarian concerns were raised regarding the ongoing crises in Lebanon and Gaza. A convoy was dispatched to Sarafan, southern Lebanon, to aid in the rehabilitation of a primary healthcare center severely damaged by airstrikes. This initiative coincides with the launch of a national vaccination campaign by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, aimed at protecting children under 10 from polio, measles, rubella, and mumps, which will run until the end of the year.

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) expressed alarm over the rising civilian casualties from Israeli airstrikes in densely populated areas of Lebanon, particularly in the Becca and Balbec regions. Reports indicate that 13 civil defense volunteers were killed in an attack, with several others still missing. OCHA emphasized the necessity for all parties in the conflict to take precautions to protect civilians.

Turning to Gaza, OCHA confirmed that several displaced Palestinians were killed in the Almaywasi area amid ongoing hostilities. The humanitarian situation remains dire, with approximately 65,000 to 75,000 Palestinians trapped in North Gaza under siege. OCHA described conditions in these areas as inhumane, citing extensive death and deprivation over the past five weeks. The agency reiterated the need for civilians to be allowed to seek safety and receive humanitarian assistance, as mandated by international humanitarian law.

The WHO reported that Israeli authorities have denied access to hospitals in North Gaza, hindering efforts to deploy emergency medical teams and deliver essential supplies. The ongoing siege has severely impacted nutrition programs, leading to the suspension of treatment for acutely malnourished children. UNICEF has pre-positioned supplies to address malnutrition, while the World Food Programme has sent nearly 200 metric tons of food to meet urgent needs.

In a related update, WHO facilitated the medical evacuation of 14 individuals, including children, from Gaza to Jordan for specialized treatment, highlighting the critical need for evacuation corridors for patients requiring urgent care.

Additionally, the meeting addressed developments in Mali, where the last site of the former peacekeeping mission was officially handed over to the transitional government. The expedited liquidation process was praised by Malian officials, marking a significant transition in the region's governance.

The discussions underscored the urgent need for humanitarian intervention and the protection of civilians in conflict zones, as well as the importance of international cooperation in addressing these crises.