At an emergency meeting of the United Nations (UN) Security Council to address the situation in Lebanon, U.S. Deputy Ambassador Robert Wood said, “While Israel has the right to protect its citizens” from the Shiite movement Hezbollah, “the country must minimize harm to civilians, especially in the most populated areas of Beirut.” ”
“We are deeply disturbed by the news of the killing of hundreds of Lebanese citizens in recent days, including children, health workers and an American citizen. We reiterate our call to all parties to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure and fulfill their obligations under international law”. Said.
Israeli strikes in central Beirut, which a Lebanese security source said also targeted a Hezbollah leader, killed 22 people and wounded 117 this evening, the Lebanese health ministry said.
The Israeli army had not issued any prior order to evacuate these areas prior to the attack.
Also, at least two ‘blue helmets’ were wounded in an Israeli attack on an observation tower at the headquarters of the UN mission in southern Lebanon (Unifil), one of at least three attacks by Israel against United Nations troops in recent years. 24 hours.
In this regard, the US diplomat – Israel’s biggest international ally – UN. It acknowledged that it was “deeply concerned” about injuries sustained by peacekeepers and called on “all parties, including Israel” to respect the safety of UNIFIL personnel and facilities.
Robert Wood urged the UN to ensure that UNIFIL “can operate independently and in accordance with its mandate”. He also called on the conflicting parties to contact the authorities.
At the same meeting, minutes before the US ambassador spoke, the UN Jean-Pierre Lacroix, head of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, reminded the State of Israel of its obligation to respect UNIFIL’s status and guarantee its safety.
“We strongly oppose these events to the Israeli authorities,” Lacroix assured, adding that all armed incidents “show little concern for the safety of UN buildings or personnel under international law.”
Regarding the consequences of this undeclared war in Lebanon, the UN Under-Secretary for Political Affairs, Rosemary DeCarlo, highlighted that a quarter of the Lebanese territory is currently under evacuation orders, affecting more than a hundred places. The Israeli army sometimes gives people only two hours to leave their homes, often in the middle of the night.”
The orders resulted in 600,000 deaths — 250,000 in a single week — and Israel’s attacks have already killed 2,000 people, most of them civilians and many of them children, according to Lebanon’s health ministry.
One of the most angry diplomats at today’s meeting, Algerian Ambassador Amar Bendjama, called on the Security Council to impose economic sanctions on Israel.
“A few hours ago, an Israeli airstrike hit a residential building in Beirut, killing an innocent teenager and injuring dozens of people. When will this Council accept responsibility for maintaining international peace and security? When will this Council impose sanctions on Israeli authorities? For their atrocities and violations?” , asked Bendjama.
Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah flared a year ago, when the Lebanese Islamist group began firing missiles into northern Israeli territory as a sign of support for the Palestinian cause.
The Israeli military intensified its offensive against Hezbollah with bombings in southern Lebanon and the capital, Beirut.
A week ago, Israel also launched a ground incursion into southern Lebanon.
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