Intense airstrikes in Lebanon and West Bank, attack on UNRWA schools – Highlights of the noon briefing by Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General – 04 October 2024

04 October 2024

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Lebanon

UNIFIL says that within their area of operations, they still observe intense airstrikes and heavy clashes. Significant exchanges of fire are occurring in Sector West, particularly Marun ar Ras, Yaroun and Bint Jbeil and in Sector East, focusing on the Khiam, Kafer Kila and El Adeisse areas.

UNIFIL peacekeepers continue to remain in position despite the dangerous environment, while the intensity of fighting hampers their movement and ability to undertake the full range of their mandated tasks. As Mr. Lacroix told you yesterday, the safety and security of our peacekeepers is a paramount priority and it is a shared responsibility for all parties.

The Mission reiterates its call, both for an immediate de-escalation and for the parties to immediately return to a cessation of hostilities and the full implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701.

West Bank

Turning to the West Bank, the Secretary-General is deeply alarmed by the deteriorating situation there, including last night’s Israeli airstrike on the Tulkarm refugee camp, killing 18 Palestinians, including children and injured many others. He strongly condemns the loss of lives. This attack marks yet another dangerous escalation of violence.

The Secretary-General calls for strict compliance to international law. Civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected at all times. He urges the international community to urgently come together to address this escalating cycle of violence and work towards ending the occupation and returning to a track for a two-State solution, which remains the only just and lasting resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The bloodshed that we are seeing must end.

Occupied Palestinian Territory

Further to the Tulkarm attack, our colleagues from OCHA are coordinating a visit to the area by both UN agencies and NGOs, where they will carry out an assessment of damages and humanitarian needs to inform the emergency response efforts.

Turning to Gaza, OCHA on Wednesday visited the site of an attack the previous night in the Maan area, east of Khan Younis. Our colleagues report that ambulances trying to evacuate the injured could not reach them due to the ongoing incursion. Hours later, when first responders were finally able to access the area, their bulldozer ran out of fuel while recovering bodies from beneath the rubble.

OCHA stresses that emergency teams in Gaza need to be able to save lives – and to do that, they need more fuel, they need more equipment. But most importantly, they need safe and unimpeded access to the areas where they need to be.

Meanwhile, our colleagues at UNRWA [UN Relief and Works Agency] said that three of its schools were hit over the previous two days. Some 20,000 people had been sheltering there, and more than 20 people were reportedly killed. UNRWA said that since the war began, more than 140 of its schools have come under attack. The agency stressed that schools are not a target and cannot be used for any military purposes by anyone.

A new assessment this week by UNICEF and humanitarian partners found that at least 87 per cent of school buildings in Gaza have been directly hit or damaged since October of last year, including one third of UNRWA schools.

And you’ve been asking us about the next round of polio vaccinations. The World Health Organization has told us that they have requested to Israel to begin the second phase on 14 October.
The agency expects those efforts to conclude on 29 October. WHO says discussions with the Israeli authorities are continuing, as well as with the Ministry of Health, and partners on the ground.

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