May 30, 2026 | 11:47 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The United Nations (UN) expressed grave concern on Thursday, May 28, 2026, over the volatile situation in southern Lebanon following a record wave of Israeli airstrikes. The UN noted that the latest Israeli assaults were more extensive and resulted in the deaths of at least eight people.UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters that the global body is deeply worried about the escalating conflict across Lebanon. "We again urge all to respect the cessation of hostilities and stop any further attacks," Dujarric said, as quoted by Anadolu.He called on the warring factions, emphasizing that civilians and civilian infrastructure must never be targeted. He stated that this protection is strictly mandated by international humanitarian law, as outlined in the Geneva Conventions and the principle of distinction.Lebanon's official National News Agency reported that the latest Israeli strikes in the Zahrani district claimed the lives of eight people during the Eid al-Adha holiday.The casualties include six family members, among them children, who were killed in a drone strike on the Adloun road, while two others perished in a separate attack in the southern coastal city of Tyre.An apartment building in the Sidon district was also hit during the relentless bombardment, resulting in several casualties. The attack occurred just a day after Israeli forces issued evacuation orders for areas south of the Zahrani River.Rather than targeting Hezbollah militants, the Israeli military hit civilian residential complexes indiscriminately. This action violates international humanitarian law, and the final death toll from the strike remains unconfirmed.UNIFIL ReportDujarric reported that the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has been monitoring Israel's increasingly aggressive military activities, which include heavy airstrikes and the deployment of armored vehicles.He also noted that around 670 projectile paths were recorded on Wednesday alone, marking the highest volume of fire since the fragile, United States-mediated ceasefire took effect on April 17.At the same time, the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, and UNIFIL Commander Major General Aroldo Lázaro continue to urge the parties concerned to prioritize de-escalation and expedite the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, the UN spokesperson said.Furthermore, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs warned that successive evacuation orders issued over a 48-hour period have upended the lives of hundreds of thousands of people south of the Zahrani River, including residents of Tyre and Nabatieh."Families are once again being forced to flee their homes under conditions that are intolerable for any human being," Dujarric stressed.Read: Civilians in Lebanon Hit Hardest as Israel Targets HezbollahClick here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
