Israeli airstrikes intensified across Lebanon on Wednesday, resulting in the deaths of at least 27 people. The strikes targeted various areas, including southern Lebanon and the capital, Beirut. In Nabatieh, a city in the south, more than six airstrikes hit the city and surrounding regions, killing 16 people and injuring 52, according to local officials. Among the deceased was the city’s mayor, Ahmad Kahil, as confirmed by the provincial governor.
Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister accused Israel of deliberately attacking a municipal council meeting that was discussing relief efforts in Nabatieh. However, the Israeli military claimed their strikes were focused on Hezbollah command centers and weapon facilities embedded in civilian areas.
Amidst these escalating attacks, the United Nations peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon, UNIFIL, reported that Israeli troops fired on one of their watchtowers near Kfar Kila. Two cameras were destroyed, and the tower itself was damaged. This event followed other incidents involving UNIFIL. Just days earlier, Israeli soldiers reportedly entered a UNIFIL position near Ramia, crossing the Blue Line with two tanks, and later firing smoke rounds near peacekeepers. This left 15 UN personnel with skin irritations and gastrointestinal issues. Israeli troops were also reported to have obstructed logistical movements near Mays al-Jabal.
UNIFIL issued a reminder to all parties, urging them to respect the safety of UN personnel and the inviolability of their premises. They called on the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and all actors to ensure the security of UN property and staff at all times.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis in northern Gaza continues to worsen. The top UN humanitarian official voiced concerns over Israel’s blockade of essential aid to Gaza. From October 2 to October 15, no food was delivered to northern Gaza, which is under siege due to an Israeli offensive. Humanitarian efforts to provide supplies have been severely obstructed, and the situation has become dire, with most bakeries expected to close within days due to a lack of fuel.
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According to the official, less than a third of the 286 humanitarian missions coordinated with Israeli authorities in early October were able to proceed without significant delays or incidents. She described the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza as brutal, with people running out of food, and the continuous bombardment adding to their suffering.
In response to the situation, the United States has urged Israel to do more to address the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. During an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, the US ambassador emphasized that Israel must allow for more aid to enter the region, as recent efforts have been insufficient. She referred to the entry of two dozen aid trucks into northern Gaza for the first time in weeks but stressed that this was not enough. The US ambassador added that Israel’s failure to follow through on its commitments could lead to consequences, including the loss of weapons funding from the United States.
The ambassador reiterated that any “policy of starvation” in northern Gaza would be unacceptable, potentially violating international law. She warned that the US would closely monitor Israel’s actions to ensure that food and essential supplies are not cut off, as Israel has claimed this is not their policy. Only real actions on the ground, she noted, would bring about the necessary progress to alleviate the suffering of civilians in Gaza.
The ongoing violence in Lebanon and Gaza has drawn widespread international concern, with multiple parties calling for restraint and the protection of civilians. However, with tensions rising and both sides continuing to engage in aggressive military actions, the path to peace remains uncertain.
