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Following the airstrikes in Lebanon, many families were seen spending the night in their vehicles in the capital Beirut, where several shelters have taken in dozens of families in the past 24 to 48 hours.
Nearly one million people overall are still displaced across the country following escalating hostilities between Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants that began on March 2.
UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq said that for the first time, the Israeli military issued an evacuation order on Tuesday for the town of Nabatieh, located north of the Litani River.
A new evacuation order was also issued for the Bekaa town of Mashgara, where rescue operations continued after Israeli airstrikes on Monday evening.
Health workers killed
World Health Organization (WHO) said nine attacks on health services were recorded in four daysMay 21-24, produce eight health workers died and 45 were injured.
On May 23 alone, 25 medical staff were injured at Hiram Hospital in Southern Province, following several airstrikes in the area.
On the same day, Israeli airstrikes destroyed the Civil Defense Center in Nabatieh, including fire and rescue equipment, as well as heavy equipment, impacting the already overwhelmed emergency response capacity.
Two other hospitals, in Southern Province and Nabatieh, also suffered damage from nearby attacks in recent days.
“We reiterate that attacks on health workers and health facilities are unacceptable.All parties to the conflict must immediately stop it and ensuring protection for health services,” said Mr Haq.
Note airspace violations
He also provided an update on the work of UN peacekeeping forces in Lebanon, UNIFILE.
Since last Friday, UNIFIL has observed extensive Israeli military activity as well as attacks by non-state armed groups – allegedly carried out by Hezbollah – against Israeli forces in its area of operations, although hostilities have ceased.
On Monday, peacekeepers detected 91 airspace violations – the highest number since the ceasefire came into force on April 17.
They also reported 399 shooting incidents attributed to Israeli forces and 11 projectile trajectories attributed to Hezbollah.
UNIFIL has also facilitated several humanitarian missions in coordination with the UN and other aid agencies.
A child walks among the ruins of Gaza City.
Open more Gaza crossings
Turning to the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), Haq said UN humanitarian agencies reported that the movement of supplies into Gaza continued to be restricted.
Over the weekend, Israeli authorities informed that the Zikim Crossing would remain closed this week, leaving Kerem Shalom/Karem Abu Salem as the only operational crossing for cargo.
“We continue to call for more crossings to be opened and for more essential supplies, such as backup generators and fuel, to be allowed in.regularly, predictably and in sufficient quantities,” he said.
Rodent control campaign
Humanitarian efforts to address public health risks and improve sanitation in the Gaza Strip continue.
Earlier this month, the UN and its partners brought three tonnes of rodenticide and 3,000 liters of pesticide to the region to tackle the pest infestation.
They launched response efforts in 1,700 locations by spraying, taking rodent control measures and raising public awareness.
Engine oil shortage and threat of flooding
Haq said aid partners working in the water and sanitation sector reported that severe engine oil shortages continued to disrupt critical operations.
They estimate that around 7,000 liters are needed each month to keep operations running, and “life-saving activities are increasingly restricted.”
He gave the example of the Sheikh Radwan rainwater lagoon in Gaza City which had to be closed on May 11 to preserve the life of generators.
“Since then, water and wastewater levels have risen significantly, increasing the risk of flooding in the coming weeks and posing a further threat to public health,” he said.
Support in the West Bank
Meanwhile, UN partners are providing shelter and essential goods to more than 14,000 households in Gaza.
“Our partners are also responding in the West Bank, especially to Palestinian communities affected by the ravages of conflict, increasing settler violence, the increasing risk of forced displacement of entire communities and deteriorating living conditions,” Haq said.
They reached more than 40,000 people in the last month alone, providing shelter repairs, cash assistance, tents and other equipment, in addition to installing fences and doors.
