Wed Sep 25 07:43:54 UTC 2024: ## Lebanon on Brink of War as Israeli Airstrikes Kill Hundreds, UN Warns
**Beirut, Lebanon** – The United Nations has issued a dire warning against a return to the 2006 war, as Lebanon reels from a wave of Israeli airstrikes that killed hundreds of civilians on Monday. The attacks, launched in retaliation for attacks by Hezbollah, represent the deadliest day in Lebanon since the 2006 war.
According to the Lebanese Ministry of Health, at least 492 people were killed, including 35 children and 58 women, and over 1,645 were injured. The strikes have triggered a mass exodus from the South and Bekaa regions, with tens of thousands seeking shelter in Beirut and other areas.
“Lebanon stands on the brink,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres tweeted, echoing his warning to world leaders. “The people of Lebanon and the world cannot afford Lebanon to become another Gaza.”
UN officials expressed deep concern about the escalation of violence. “This is not normal and this needs to stop,” said Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the UN human rights office. She called for an immediate ceasefire and highlighted the dire situation on the ground, referencing the recent “pager attacks” by Hezbollah that resulted in widespread injuries and overwhelmed hospitals.
“We have heard all this before,” she said, referencing last year’s conflict in Gaza. “Have we not learned anything from what has been happening in Gaza over the past year?”
UNICEF, meanwhile, has reported widespread fear and displacement among the population. Schools remain closed across the country, and many families are sleeping in cars and on the side of the road, lacking basic necessities. The organization has set up 87 shelters to accommodate the growing number of displaced individuals.
UNHCR has also voiced concerns for the wellbeing of Syrian refugees living in Lebanon, warning that the escalation could trigger another displacement crisis.
The UN is calling on all parties involved to respect international humanitarian law and prioritize the protection of civilians. They urge world leaders gathered at the United Nations General Assembly to prioritize bringing the conflict to an end.
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