Washington, October 12, 2024 – Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCR), has raised alarm over the rapidly worsening humanitarian conditions in Gaza and Lebanon, particularly for civilians caught in the escalating violence.
During a press conference held in Geneva, Shamdasani detailed the severe impact of Israeli airstrikes on Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, a densely populated urban center. The strikes, which have intensified in recent days, have resulted in the deaths of hundreds and forced the displacement of over a million people across the country. Civilians, particularly in the hardest-hit areas, are being driven from their homes, seeking safety amidst the widespread destruction of infrastructure.
Shamdasani also painted a grim picture of the situation in Gaza, describing the ongoing humanitarian disaster as Israeli military operations ramp up in the northern parts of the Gaza Strip. The spokesperson expressed deep concern for the civilians trapped there, facing relentless bombardment that has cut off the northern region from the rest of Gaza. This isolation has left civilians with few options for safety, placing them in grave peril.
Reports have surfaced of air raids, heavy shelling, and ground incursions targeting residential neighborhoods, resulting in numerous civilian casualties and mass displacements across Gaza. Compounding the crisis, hospitals and medical facilities have also come under fire, severely hampering efforts to care for the wounded. Despite repeated evacuation orders from the Israeli military for civilians in northern Gaza, many remain trapped, unable to escape due to the pervasive violence and the absence of safe evacuation routes, according to Shamdasani.
The spokesperson's remarks underscore the dire situation faced by civilians in both Gaza and Lebanon, as the conflict continues to escalate, leaving vast numbers of people in desperate need of humanitarian assistance.