The UN Security Council discussed the escalation in Lebanon amid attacks on hospitals

Access to basic medical services is “extremely limited,” he added. In southern Lebanon, patients sometimes have to wait up to 48 hours to reach the nearest medical facility.

“In six hospitals, maternity wards have not resumed work until now, and only emergency assistance is currently provided there,” Abubakar noted. “For pregnant women and newborns, any delay in treatment can become a matter of life and death.”

The ICRC representative also drew attention to the severe sanitary situation at the temporary accommodation center, where about 130,000 people who fled the war are sheltered. The number of displaced persons is increasing following recent Israeli evacuation orders.

Since the beginning of the current escalation of the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which began in early March, nearly 3,400 people have died in Lebanon and about 10,400 have been injured, the majority of whom are civilians.

“For Lebanon, these months have become one of the bloodiest since the beginning of the conflict in October 2023,” noted Abubakar.

The ceasefire regime between Lebanon and Israel, which was achieved through US mediation, came into effect on April 17, but neither side fully observes it.

Emergency meeting of the Security Council

The escalation of violence and warnings about an Israeli strike on the southern suburbs of Beirut, where hundreds of thousands of peaceful residents live, became the reason for convening an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on Monday. France requested the meeting.

According to reports, Israeli troops have advanced deeper into Lebanon than ever before since 2000 (when Israeli forces withdrew from southern Lebanon), capturing a strategic height with the Beaufort castle located on it.

“The situation in Lebanon is causing deep concern,” said Marta Pob, Assistant to the Secretary-General for Political Affairs. She noted that the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reports combat activities to the north of the “blue line.” In particular, on May 30 alone, 992 trajectories of projectiles from the Israel Defense Forces were recorded. This is the highest number since the cessation of hostilities on April 17.

According to Pobi, “Hezbollah” continues to launch dozens of rockets and unmanned aerial vehicles, including drones based on fiber optic technologies. “Hezbollah” has also used anti-aircraft rockets and homemade explosive devices against Israeli troops and targets on Lebanese territory, while simultaneously increasing strikes deep into Israeli territory in recent days.

Pope stated that the presence of Israel in the area north of the “blue line” constitutes a “violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” as well as Resolution 1706, calling on Israeli forces to withdraw from these areas.

She also emphasized that “Hezbollah” and other non-state armed groups must disarm, adding that “the Lebanese armed forces are the only legitimate armed force in Lebanon.”

The Assistant to the Secretary-General expressed support for diplomatic efforts and warned that further escalation of the situation is unacceptable against the backdrop of reports of a threat from Tehran to suspend dialogue with the United States and activate actions on another front.