UN special coordinator for Lebanon urges caution amid destructive pager explosions
UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert has urged for calm following Tuesday’s attacks across Lebanon, which resulted in the deaths of at least nine people, including children, and left thousands critically injured.
She emphasised that “civilians are not a target and must be protected at all times,” and reminded that “even one civilian casualty is one too many”.
Hennis-Plasschaert described the developments as “an extremely concerning escalation in what is an already unacceptably volatile context.” With the full impact still unfolding, she cautioned against further action or inflammatory rhetoric that could spark a wider conflict, stressing that “too much is at stake to do anything less.”
Also Read: UN reacts to pager explosions across Lebanon as more casualties reported
Lebanese Public Health Minister Firas Abiad reported eight deaths and over 2,800 injuries from the explosion of pager devices across Lebanon, which the government attributes to an Israeli cyber attack.
The victims include the son of Hezbollah parliamentarian Ali Ammar, and Iranian Ambassador to Lebanon Mojtaba Amani was among the injured.
Hezbollah has vowed to retaliate, blaming Israel for the “criminal attack,” and is conducting investigations to determine the cause of the explosions.
The Lebanese government is seeking accountability and has contacted concerned countries and the United Nations.
The situation remains tense, with the UN urging restraint and prioritization of stability to prevent further escalation.
