The UN is concerned about a new escalation in Lebanon

8 June 2026 World and Security

Exchange of blows

The UN reported that new strikes have been recorded in the southern suburbs of Beirut over the past day, as well as strikes by Hezbollah from the north of Israel. “We urge the parties to show maximum restraint and not allow a further deterioration of the situation,” noted the UN official spokesperson Farhan Haq.

The UN reminded about the necessity of observing the ceasefire regime declared last week by Lebanon, Israel, and the United States, emphasizing that any actions capable of undermining diplomatic efforts threaten the prospects of achieving a sustainable peace.

The situation of civilians causes particular concern. The UN has once again emphasized that the civilian population and objects of civilian infrastructure must not become targets of attacks, and all parties are obliged to observe international humanitarian law.

201 Violation of Lebanese airspace

The UN Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reported a sharp increase in military activity in their area of responsibility. According to the mission’s data, from June 5 to 7, there were 201 violations of Lebanon’s airspace by the Israeli Defense Forces. The total duration of flights amounted to almost 288 hours. The peacekeepers also recorded more than 2,100 instances of firing from Israeli positions.

Simultaneously, dozens of shell launches, presumably carried out by “Hezbollah,” were registered, including several cases of crossing the so-called “blue line” separating the territories of Lebanon and Israel.

Peacekeepers under fire

UN peacekeepers are also coming under attack. On Friday, near the settlement of Beit Jasin, drones twice dropped grenades next to a column of the UNTSO forces, which was awaiting coordination of the movement route. The peacekeepers opened fire in self-defense and shot down one of the drones. No one was injured.

On another day, the mission patrol reported that an Israeli tank created a dense smoke screen near the peacekeepers’ position. In addition, cases of restrictions on the freedom of movement of UN units were recorded, both from local residents and from Israeli soldiers.

Ceremony in memory of the deceased Serbian peacekeeper

Against the backdrop of ongoing clashes on Sunday in Beirut, a memorial ceremony was held for senior UNIFIL Sergeant Milovan Jovanovich from Serbia, who died on June 5 as a result of mortar shelling of peacekeeper positions in Lebanon. Two other UN servicemen, wounded in the same incident, continue to receive treatment and are in stable condition.

Humanitarian aid

Despite the complex situation, the peacekeepers continue their humanitarian activities. On the eve, the UNIFIL units ensured the safe evacuation of Lebanese Red Cross vehicles with patients who had been blocked for several days in the Rmeish area due to intense fighting. After coordination with the Israeli side, the column was escorted to the city of Tyre, which allowed the patients, including women and children, to continue their journey to Beirut.

Evacuation orders

Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation in Lebanon continues to deteriorate. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), only in recent days evacuation orders have affected 17 settlements in the southern region of the country. Five collective accommodation centers were forced to cease operations, and local authorities report that the remaining shelters are already overcrowded.

Last week, the UN announced an additional emergency humanitarian appeal for a total of $331.5 million to assist 1.4 million people. The organization warns: without urgent funding, humanitarian operations may begin to be scaled back as early as the beginning of July.