United Nations

Israel Strikes Qaa Border Crossing on Lebanon-Syria Border

An Israeli raid targeting the Syrian side of the border with Lebanon on Friday morning cut off a border crossing between the two countries, caretaker Transport Minister Ali Hamiye told AFP. This was the second main crossing point to be blocked, out of a total of three. The crossing, known as Qaa on the Lebanese side, is the second such gateway ...

"Darkest Moment" of Gaza Conflict Unfolding, UN say

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said on Friday the "darkest moment" of the conflict in Gaza was unfolding in the north of the territory, warning that Israel's actions could amount to "atrocity crimes". Turk pointed out that already "more than 150,000 people are reportedly dead, wounded or missing in Gaza" since ...

EU Says 'Race Against Time' to Avoid Lebanon 'Conflagration'

Josep Borrell, the EU foreign policy chief, stated on Friday that the international community must accelerate efforts to find a political solution to end the fighting in Lebanon and prevent a potential "conflagration." In a statement released following a conference on aid for Lebanon in France, Borrell emphasized that the first necessary step is ...

In Numbers: The Endangered Sectors

Lebanon, already grappling with severe economic and political crises, is now facing the devastating impact of the ongoing military conflict between Hezbollah and Israel. This war has plunged nearly every sector of the country into a critical state, from infrastructures, the private sector, and agriculture to energy, water, and trade. The ...

Ardiel: 'Actions of Israel and Hezbollah Put Peacekeepers at Risk'

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)’s deputy spokesperson, Kandice Ardiel, warned again that “actions of the Israeli army and Hezbollah put peacekeepers at risk, whether through crossfire or deliberate acts.” Since the Israeli army’s incursions into Lebanon started on October 1, UNIFIL soldiers have documented about 20 ...

WFP Meals for Displaced at Risk—A Minister’s Greed!

On October 1, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and UN Humanitarian Coordinator Omran Riza launched an urgent appeal for $426 million to address the immediate humanitarian needs of civilians affected by the war and the resulting crisis. To date, the United Nations has secured commitments totaling approximately $150 million, with continued ...

WHO Suspends Polio Vaccination in Northern Gaza Amid Escalating Violence

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Wednesday that “intense bombardment” and “escalating violence” in northern Gaza have forced it to postpone the final phase of a child polio vaccination campaign. The necessary second round of vaccinations was completed in central and southern Gaza and was set to begin on Wednesday in the ...

Hochstein's Proposal: A Beacon of Hope or a Harbinger of Diplomatic Failure?

On Monday, the US special envoy visited Beirut as part of yet another diplomatic initiative aimed at reinforcing stability in Lebanon amid heightened tensions on the southern border with Israel. American demands—ranging from the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 to separating Lebanon's situation from the war in ...

Hezbollah Claims Sole Responsibility for Drone Attack on Netanyahu's Home

Hezbollah claimed on Tuesday sole responsibility for the drone attack on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's holiday home in the town of Caesarea. It also said there would be no negotiations while fighting continued with Israel. The group "takes full and sole responsibility" for targeting Netanyahu's house, Mohammad Afif, head of the ...

Poverty Rate Across Palestinian Territory Doubles in a Year

The poverty rate across the Palestinian territories is projected to nearly double this year, reaching 74.3 percent after months of fighting in Gaza, according to a report by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) released on Tuesday. "The immediate consequence of the war, not just in terms of physical infrastructure destruction, but also regarding ...

Blinken Arrives in Israel to Push for Ceasefire

This marks his 11th trip to the Middle East since Hamas's attack on Israel over a year ago, which triggered the Gaza war, and his first visit since the conflict with Hezbollah escalated late last month. Blinken is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other top officials as Israel considers its response to Iran's missile ...