UNITED NATIONS, Aug 8: A senior United Nations aid official in Lebanon on Tuesday deplored Israeli bombardment of civilian infrastructure as well as Hezbollah’s rocket attacks.
David Shearer, UN’s coordinator for humanitarian affairs, called on all sides to adhere to their commitments under international law, especially relating to access for emergency relief supplies.
He was especially critical of an Israeli attack near a UN aid convoy at the weekend that killed two Lebanese, warning that such attacks could halt aid operations altogether.
Attacks close to our convoys could very well prevent us from continuing our humanitarian relief efforts, as many truck drivers are no longer willing to risk their lives. The targeting of civilians and essential social infrastructure is a violation of international law, he said in a statement. Four drivers did not turn up for work on Tuesday.
We deplore the continuation of Israeli bombardment of civilian infrastructure in Lebanon and call on all parties in this conflict to adhere to their obligations under international humanitarian law with regard to civilians. We also condemn the continuing rocket attacks by Hezbollah against civilians in Israel.
WHO PLEA: The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Tuesday called on all sides in the conflict to ensure safe passage of fuel, saying that if fuel was not delivered this week, 60 per cent of all hospitals in Lebanon would have to shut down.
“Based on available information, if there is no fuel delivered in the next few days, more than half of the hospitals will not be able to operate by the end of this week and the situation will be much worse next week,” warned Dr Ala Alwan, Representative of the WHO Director-General for Health Action in Crises.
