UN chief calls for end to deadly Israeli operations in southern Lebanon

UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is deeply concerned by escalating Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon that have killed civilians, displaced thousands and destroyed a hospital, said his spokesperson on Tuesday.

This photograph taken from the southern Lebanese village of al-Hanniyeh shows smoke rising from the site of an Israeli controlled explosion in the area of al-Mansouri on September 8, 2026. (File photo: AFP)

"The secretary-general said he was particularly alarmed by reports of Israeli strikes affecting hospitals, healthcare workers and public institutions, along with restrictions on humanitarian access," said Stephane Dujarric, the spokesperson.

Dujarric said the UN chief is concerned about attacks over the weekend through Monday, particularly in Nabatieh governorate.

The spokesperson said that while the attacks occurred outside the area of operations of the UN peacekeepers, known as UNIFIL, the peacekeepers monitored developments closely and expressed concern over the broader deterioration of the security situation.

Dujarric said UNIFIL recorded a significant increase in Israeli military activity, including ground operations, projectile fire, airstrikes and violations of Lebanon's airspace.

Between Thursday and Monday, UNIFIL detected 528 projectiles fired by the Israel Defense Forces, he said, adding that for the first time since late June, UNIFIL also detected a Hezbollah projectile launched.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said 27 people were killed and 69 others were injured between Saturday and Monday, quoting figures from the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health. The ministry reported that a strike on a house in the municipality of Kfar Roummane in Nabatieh governorate killed eight people, including a child and two women, and injured 11 others, including four children and two women.

"The escalation is also forcing people to flee their homes," OCHA said. "According to local authorities, around 5,000 families, or some 20,000 people, fled Nabatieh District (in Nabatieh governorate) last week. Displaced families are mostly staying with their relatives or host communities, rather than in collective shelters."

The office said that on Sunday, Ghandour Hospital in the municipality of Nabatieh al-Fawqa of Nabatieh governorate was destroyed. Government offices were also damaged.

OCHA reiterated the need to fully respect international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians, health care and civilian infrastructure. Humanitarian access must also be maintained so people in need affected by the renewed escalation can be reached.