A UN aid mission led by UNICEF has reported widespread devastation and urgent humanitarian needs in southern Lebanon, particularly in the town of Tebnine. Upon reaching a major hospital in the area, UNICEF spokesperson Christophe Boulierac described scenes of near-total destruction, noting that streets surrounding the facility had been completely flattened compared to just two weeks earlier.
Although the hospital remains partially functional, it is struggling with severe shortages of water, medicine, and electricity. Boulierac highlighted that even a solar-powered generator system installed by UNICEF appeared to have been destroyed. The surrounding area is marked by collapsed homes, rubble, and burnt-out vehicles, with at least eight houses completely destroyed near the hospital alone.
Despite a fragile ceasefire with Israel that began on 16 April, conditions remain highly unstable and dangerous for civilians. Many displaced residents are attempting to return home, only to find their properties reduced to ruins. The crisis has affected over one million people, including an estimated 400,000 children who urgently require humanitarian support. Essential services such as water, electricity, healthcare, and education remain severely disrupted.
Meanwhile, the UN’s peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix stressed that continued international support is critical to assist Lebanon’s armed forces and humanitarian response. He noted that approximately 80,000 civilians have remained south of the Litani River despite ongoing risks, while others are returning under difficult and dangerous conditions, including crossing damaged infrastructure.
Lacroix also pointed out that the continued presence of Israeli forces in Lebanese territory violates UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which calls for a cessation of hostilities and withdrawal of forces. He paid tribute to five peacekeepers from the UNIFIL who were recently killed, including personnel from France and Indonesia, emphasizing the risks faced by UN forces operating in the region.
Despite some improvement following a relative ceasefire, the security situation remains uncertain. UN peacekeepers continue to operate under constraints, though humanitarian assistance efforts have increased to support civilians impacted by the ongoing conflict between Israeli forces and Hezbollah.
