The United Nations warns of a 'catastrophic' situation in Lebanon.
The United Nations recently warned that Lebanon is facing a "catastrophic" humanitarian crisis as the number of internally displaced people has reached 600,000 and Israel continues to intensify its attacks against Hezbollah forces.
Hezbollah says its fighters are clashing with Israeli forces in southern Lebanon, using rocket launchers to thwart Israeli attempts to cross the border.
"Lebanon is facing a conflict and humanitarian crisis of catastrophic scale," said Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon, at a press conference. She expressed "hope that Israel will now also be ready to support calls for de-escalation of the conflict."
However, amid ongoing fighting, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stressed that Lebanon could face "a protracted war... like what we are seeing in Gaza."
Since September 23, according to AFP's compilation of official figures, Israel has intensified its airstrikes on Hezbollah bases in Lebanon, killing more than 1,190 people and displacing over 1 million.
Imran Riza, the United Nations humanitarian coordinator in Lebanon, said Lebanon is experiencing "one of the deadliest periods" in its recent history, with 600,000 people internally displaced – including more than 350,000 children.
"Even wars have rules," he said.
Israel has refused to rule out the possibility of attacking Beirut's civilian airport and the roads leading to it, even as thousands of people continue to leave the country by air and land each day.
"We are not targeting civilians. But at the same time, if we detect Hezbollah activity or an intention to launch missiles at Israel, we will act like any other country," said Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon.
Israeli ground forces entered Lebanon on September 30 in response to rocket and artillery attacks by Hezbollah over the past year, which forced tens of thousands of Israelis to flee their homes in border areas.
