UNITED NATIONS: The UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, has urged calm following a series of attacks across the country on Tuesday that resulted in at least nine fatalities, including children, and left thousands injured, many critically.
The coordinated assaults reportedly targeted the Hezbollah group, with numerous electronic pagers belonging to its members detonating simultaneously, according to international media reports. Hezbollah has vowed to retaliate, blaming Israel for the explosions amid rising tensions.
“These developments today represent a deeply concerning escalation in an already volatile situation,” Ms. Hennis-Plasschaert stated.
She reminded all involved parties, in line with international law, that civilians should never be targeted and must always be protected.”
While the full impact of the attacks is still emerging, she called on all parties to avoid any further actions or aggressive rhetoric that could ignite a broader conflict, which no one can afford.
The Special Coordinator stressed the urgent need to restore calm and urged all actors to prioritize stability, as “too much is at stake to do anything less.”
In a related development, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) in Lebanon tweeted that it is assisting hospitals during “the current emergency” resulting from the pager explosions due to the influx of injured individuals seeking medical attention.
“Alongside today’s health supplies, WHO previously provided trauma and other medical supplies” to Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health to ensure continued healthcare for those in need.
