By Middle East Correspondent
LONDON, (The Muslim News): A UN spokesman has raised alarm over a rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation in Lebanon, as Israeli air and drone strikes intensify across the country, killing civilians, damaging civilian infrastructure, and triggering fresh evacuation orders.
UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said the organisation was closely monitoring developments after reports that Israeli authorities had issued new evacuation orders affecting dozens of areas in Lebanon.
“We’ve seen the reports of newly issued evacuation orders by the Israeli authorities for dozens of Lebanese areas,” Dujarric told reporters. “We know with concern these displacement orders and airstrikes against Lebanese towns targeting areas both south of the Litani River and far beyond it.”
His comments came as Israeli strikes in southern and eastern Lebanon killed at least 16 people and injured 21 others, including paramedics, according to Lebanese officials. A school was also damaged in the attacks, which have been described as part of a continuing pattern of ceasefire violations.
The Lebanese National News Agency reported widespread bombardment across multiple regions, including Mefdoun, Zellaya, Zawtar al-Sharqiya and Zawtar al-Gharbiya, as well as Sakaskiyeh and other villages in the Tyre and Nabatieh districts. Civil defence teams recovered bodies from wrecked vehicles and destroyed homes, while rescue operations continued in several areas.
Health workers were among the casualties, with paramedics affiliated with the Islamic Health Authority wounded in Deir Kifa.
Schools and residential buildings were also struck, including in Burj Qallawiyeh, where significant damage was reported.
In a major escalation, Israeli warplanes also hit Beirut’s southern suburbs — the first strike on the capital since a temporary ceasefire came into force on April 17. Israeli officials claimed the target was a senior Hezbollah commander, though the group did not confirm the claim.
Reports suggest Israeli forces carried out around 60 strikes in a single day across Lebanon, despite a ceasefire agreement that has been repeatedly breached. Since March 2, Lebanese authorities say Israeli attacks have killed at least 2,704 people, injured 8,311, and displaced more than 1.6 million, around one-fifth of the population.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), cited by Dujarric, said ongoing strikes — particularly in southern Lebanon, are driving rising casualties and worsening displacement.
The World Health Organization has also documented 151 attacks on healthcare facilities, resulting in more than 100 deaths and over 230 injuries.
“Attacks on health care also remain deeply alarming,” Dujarric said.
Despite a ceasefire announced in April and extended to May 17, Israel continues to occupy Lebanon and operations have continued daily, including demolitions of homes in dozens of villages, drawing comparisons with destruction seen in Gaza.
Israeli forces kill 5 Palestinians in aza despite ceasefire agreement
In Gaza, strikes also continued despite a ceasefire, killing at least five Palestinians on Wednesday, including a police officer and three members of the same family. Residential areas in Gaza City and Khan Younis were among those hit, with children among the wounded.
The Gaza Interior Ministry said Israel is deliberately targeting police personnel, accusing it of seeking to deepen security chaos.
Since the ceasefire began on October 10, 2025, Gaza health authorities say 824 Palestinians have been killed and 2,316 injured.
The wider war, which began in October 2023, has left more than 72,000 dead in Gaza and devastated much of the enclave’s civilian infrastructure, according to Palestinian authorities.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah said it had carried out retaliatory operations against Israeli military positions in southern Lebanon in response to continued ceasefire violations.
Trump says chance of new agreement with Iran
Tensions are also escalating further afield. US President Donald Trump said there was a “very good chance” of reaching a new agreement with Iran ahead of his upcoming state visit to China but warned of a return to “old ways” if talks fail.
Separately, outrage has grown after footage circulated online showing an Israeli soldier allegedly desecrating a statue of the Virgin Mary in southern Lebanon, prompting condemnation and an internal military review.
Artists call for ban of Israeli pavilion at Venice Biennale
In another development, more than 200 artists, curators and cultural workers have intensified calls for Israel’s pavilion to be excluded from the Venice Biennale, accusing organisers of ignoring repeated appeals over the Gaza war.
Despite mounting international concern, strikes across Lebanon and Gaza continue, with the UN warning that civilians and essential infrastructure remain at grave risk as the conflict widens across the region.
[Photo: Heavy destruction in the residential Dahieh suburb of Lebanon’s capital, Beirut, following intense Israeli attacks on May 6, 2026. While some buildings were completely destroyed and reduced to rubble, many others sustained severe damage. Lebanese residents returning to their neighborhoods are reportedly sheltering in the ruins of the devastated buildings. Photojournalist: Houssam Shbaro/AA]
