Just a week ago, Lebanon was “in relatively good shape,” Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, said in a statement. press release.
The military was expanding state authority, long-promised reforms were finally moving forward, and preparations for legislative elections were underway. A major World Bank loan was expected to boost reconstruction, and a warmer diplomatic track with Syria was creating “new areas for bilateral cooperation.”
“Progress stopped overnight”
“Of course, things were not perfect,” he said: airstrikes, political infighting and institutional paralysis remained real constraints. “But there was progress. Progress that has now come to a screeching halt.”
Since Monday’s surge in violence — Lebanon became embroiled in the escalating Middle East crisis on Monday after Hezbollah reportedly launched missiles at Israel — families who had just returned to their homes “now find themselves, again, without a roof over their heads.”
Public sentiment, he added, has moved from disbelief to outrage, as evacuation orders are expanded and “direct attacks are on the rise.”
“Hostilities must end”
Ms. Hennis-Plasschaert emphasized: continuing military action “will not bring lasting victory to anyone” and will instead deepen instability. He urged all parties to return to the UN framework. Security Council resolution 1701calling it the only internationally recognized basis for ending the cycles of violence affecting both Lebanese and Israeli civilians since 2006.
“No matter how bad things are today, they are destined to get even worse,” the Special Coordinator warned. “The choice is clear: remain on the path of death and destruction, or commit to moderation, compromise and dialogue.”
UN peacekeepers injured
His warning came as the UN reported that three Ghanaian peacekeepers serving in the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) were wounded on Friday inside their position in Al Qawzah amid heavy fire.
UN Secretary General António Guterres condemned incident and wished peacekeepers a speedy recovery, stressing that UN personnel and facilities “must be respected at all times,” according to a statement issued by his spokesperson, who also urged all parties to de-escalate tensions and fully comply with their obligations under resolution 1701.
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For more information on our coverage of the situation in the Middle East, click here.
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Learn more about UNIFIL and the Blue Line here.
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Learn more about UN Security Council Resolution 1701 here.
