GENEVA
The UN human rights office on Tuesday slammed Israeli rhetoric suggesting Lebanon could face destruction similar to Gaza as "wholly unacceptable."
"Statements by Israeli officials threatening to impose the same level of destruction on Lebanon as inflicted in Gaza are wholly unacceptable," spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan told reporters in Geneva.
"Such rhetoric, coupled with the Israeli military's announcement that it will deploy additional forces and expand its ground incursion, intensifies deep fear and anxiety among the Lebanese population," he added.
The remarks come amid escalating violence and worsening humanitarian conditions in Lebanon, with many civilians displaced and struggling to meet basic needs.
Al-Kheetan said large numbers of displaced people have lost their homes, with families sheltering in overcrowded spaces or makeshift conditions, often lacking access to adequate food, water, and healthcare.
He stressed that international humanitarian law prohibits forced displacement and protects civilians, particularly vulnerable groups.
In many instances, Israeli airstrikes have destroyed entire residential buildings in densely populated urban areas, with multiple members of the same family, including women and children, often killed together, the spokesperson noted. The attacks have also affected displaced civilians sheltering in tents along Beirut’s seafront, while in recent days, at least 16 medical staff have been killed, he said.
He warned that such incidents raise serious concerns under international humanitarian law, which requires parties to distinguish between military targets and civilians, and to take all feasible precautions to protect civilian lives.
"Deliberately attacking civilians or civilian objects amounts to a war crime," Al-Kheetan said.
He added that international law also provides specific protections for healthcare workers and vulnerable groups, including the elderly, women, and displaced people.
The spokesperson noted that at least 886 people have been killed, including at least 111 children, since March 2.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk, he said, urged "an immediate cessation of hostilities and accountability for all violations," and called on the international community to support the humanitarian response in Lebanon.
Nearly 20% of population displaced
Nearly one in five people in Lebanon has been displaced by escalating hostilities, the UN humanitarian coordinator in Lebanon told reporters in Geneva
"Civilians are paying a very high price, and displacement is increasing incredibly quickly," Imran Riza said Tuesday.
Riza said more than 1 million have self-registered as displaced, warning the total is likely higher.
"We’re talking about almost 20% of the people living in Lebanon having been displaced," he added.
According to him, 132,700 people are being sheltered in some 622 collective shelters; however, they represent only a small portion of the displaced.
"It's probably about 70% that are not in shelters," he said, pointing to major gaps in assistance.
Describing dire conditions, he said many fled "with very little" while others took days to reach safety.
The crisis is straining an already weakened response system, he said, adding: "The capacity of responding is really very limited at this point."
Riza also raised alarm over attacks on healthcare, noting 30 health workers have been killed and multiple facilities forced to close.
Regarding response capacity, the humanitarian director warned that it has significantly weakened compared to previous crises and is "very limited at this point."
He highlighted urgent funding needs, saying a flash appeal launched last Friday seeks $308 million to support some 1 million people over three months, as humanitarian needs continue to rise.
Calling for urgent action, he said: "The greatest need, of course, is immediate de-escalation."