Statement By the Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, Imran Riza: A Call to Protect Civilians and Civilian Infrastructure Amid Escalating Strikes

Health care facilities, mosques, historical markets, residential complexes, and now government buildings are being reduced to rubble. Displaced families continue to feel at risk, even after fleeing to safe areas.

 This morning a devastating attack claimed the lives of yet more civilians and local authorities working to provide relief, with the strike occurring just as a crisis meeting was convening at the municipality of Nabatieh in South Lebanon. 

I deplore and mourn the deaths of Ahmad, Sadeq, Mohammed, Qassem - members of a relief team with whom the UN and humanitarian partners have been working for more than a year – and all other victims of this conflict that must stop, urgently. 

This is a crucial moment to demand respect for the rules of war, which are clear under International Humanitarian Law: civilians must be allowed to seek safety, humanitarian relief must be facilitated without obstruction, and humanitarian workers must be able to carry out their duties in safety. 

They are not a target. My heart goes out to the families of all those killed and injured today, and in the 373 days of hostilities that have preceded it.

 -ends