UN officials warn of devastation in Lebanon, citing alarming similarities to Gaza conflict
United Nations humanitarian officials have urged immediate action to prevent the escalating conflict in Lebanon from mirroring the devastating situation in Gaza. “We need to do everything we can to stop that from happening,” said Matthew Hollingworth, Lebanon country director for the World Food Programme.
Hollingworth, who previously coordinated WFP’s operations in Gaza, expressed deep concern over the similarities between the two conflicts. “It is in my mind from the time I wake until the time I sleep, that we could go into the same sort of spiral of doom… We shouldn’t allow that to happen.”
The Gaza conflict, sparked by Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack, has claimed over 41,900 lives, mostly civilians.
The conflict has spilled into Lebanon, with intensifying airstrikes and ground battles between Israeli troops and Hezbollah militants. Over 1,100 people have been killed, and nearly a million displaced.
UNICEF‘s James Elder and Jeremy Laurence of the UN rights office echoed Hollingworth’s concerns, citing displacement, impact on children, and devastating humanitarian conditions.
“The commonalities are unfortunately absolutely there to be seen, whether it is displacement on the ground, impact upon children or language being used … (to) soften the realities on the ground.”
“We are seeing the same patterns that we saw in Gaza,” added Jeremy Laurence of the UN rights office.
“The devastation is beyond belief for all people in Lebanon as it is in Gaza. We can’t let this happen again.”
The World Health Organization reported 16 attacks on healthcare facilities, with 65 healthcare workers killed and 40 injured. Humanitarians face significant funding gaps and soaring needs, underscoring the urgent need for de-escalation.
