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UN warns of civilian harm as fighting escalates in southern Lebanon; emergency Security Council briefing set
Summary
At a UN briefing, the spokesperson said the body is 'deeply alarmed' by rising military activity in southern Lebanon, highlighted UNIFIL reports of hundreds of trajectories and airspace violations, and called for protection of civilians ahead of an emergency Security Council meeting requested by France.
The United Nations warned Monday that recent military activity in southern Lebanon is causing heightened civilian fear and displacement, and urged all parties to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure.
"We are deeply alarmed by the escalation in military activities across southern Lebanon and beyond," Steph, a UN staff member speaking for the Secretary‑General, said at a press briefing. She said Israeli warnings of potential strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs were especially concerning and emphasised that "civilians and civilian infrastructure must not be targeted." The Security Council will convene an emergency session at France's request to address the situation.
UNIFIL peacekeepers have documented a sharp rise in projectiles and movements, the spokesperson said, citing a report of 744 trajectories over a recent reporting period with most attributed to the IDF; recent hours also saw dozens of airspace violations and air strikes. The mission has briefed troop‑contributing countries on force protection and options for implementing Security Council resolution 1701, Steph added.
Humanitarian consequences are mounting: Steph described crowded collective shelters, large population movements from southern suburbs and southern Lebanon, and constraints on lifesaving aid deliveries. UNHCR and other partners are supporting government‑led emergency responses, while WFP and other agencies are scaling up assistance where access allows.
The briefing said a revised flash appeal for Lebanon would be launched in Geneva to increase assistance over the coming three months and reiterated calls for rapid, predictable funding to meet urgent needs. The spokesperson directed reporters to OCHA and other UN offices for updated operational figures and appeal details.
The UN's next public step is the Security Council emergency meeting; the spokesperson said members will be briefed by senior UN officials on the humanitarian and security dynamics.
