UN chief demands Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon amid Nabatieh escalation

The Secretary-General has condemned mounting civilian casualties in southern Lebanon and called on Israel to withdraw its forces from Lebanese territory, as fighting intensifies in and around Nabatieh.Key pointsThe Secretary-General has appealed for an immediate cessation of hostilities and called on Israel to withdraw its forces from Lebanese territory.He has condemned mounting civilian casualties and “scenes of massive destruction” from intensifying Israeli operations in and around Nabatieh.OCHA says around 20,000 people fled Nabatieh District last week, with healthcare in the area under increasing pressure.UNIFIL recorded 528 Israeli projectiles fired between Thursday and Monday and 62 airspace violations on Sunday alone – among the highest daily totals since June.In a statement issued by his Spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, the Secretary-General said he was “deeply concerned” by the escalation of Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon, condemning “mounting civilian casualties, including women and children killed and injured in the intensifying attacks”.He pointed to the “distress and displacement caused by the evacuation orders” and “the scenes of massive destruction a...