Middle East ‘on precipice of a region-wide armed conflict’
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has reminded all sides of their commitments to international humanitarian law as the region faces the prospect of all-out war amid intensifying Israeli attacks.
“The ICRC calls on all sides to avoid the use of explosive weapons in populated areas, as these cause indiscriminate harm, leading to a potentially significant toll on civilian lives, homes, and essential infrastructure,” the organisation said in a statement.
It said millions of displaced people must be allowed to return, humanitarian assistance must be allowed to reach civilians in need, and ambulances, healthcare facilities and first responders must be protected.
As violence intensifies across the Middle East, the region sits on the precipice of a region-wide armed conflict. We urgently remind all parties of their obligations under IHL, in particular the need to protect civilians and civilian objects.
Statement👉🏽https://t.co/WbQz0Zuygx pic.twitter.com/phNFQXOFLc
— ICRC (@ICRC) October 4, 2024
Israeli military issues new evacuation orders in southern Lebanon
The Israeli military has ordered residents of 20 southern towns in Lebanon to evacuate immediately, signalling a potential escalation of its ground incursion.
It’s the first time Israel told Lebanese communities north of the UN-proposed buffer zone to evacuate, including the provincial capital of Nabatieh, beyond the Litani River.
So far the military has ordered residents of more than 77 villages and towns in southern Lebanon to flee their homes.
The Israeli military launches air strikes over the Litani River
Lebanese Red Cross makes ‘urgent’ appeal for blood
The organisation said it was making the “urgent call” for blood donations to “help the wounded and save lives”.
Dozens of civilians are being killed each day in Israeli attacks on Lebanon while the head of the World Health Organization said on Thursday that 28 healthcare workers had been killed over the past 24 hours in Lebanon.
“Many (other) health workers are not reporting to duty and fled the areas where they work due to bombardments,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told an online media briefing.
“This is severely limiting the provision of mass trauma management,” he said.
🩸‼️Urgent call for blood donations today, October 4 2024, from 8am to 6pm
نداء عاجل للتبرع بالدم اليوم، ٤ تشرين الأول، من ال-٨ صباحًا حتى ال-٦ مساءً 🩸‼️ pic.twitter.com/5PpDSzCoiZ
— Lebanese Red Cross (@RedCrossLebanon) October 4, 2024
UNICEF: 690 children wounded in Lebanon in six weeks
The UN’s children’s agency called for a ceasefire noting “physical injuries and psychological suffering” has risen significantly in the country.
“This catastrophic conflict is taking a heavy toll on children. Doctors tell us of treating children bleeding, bruised and broken suffering both physically and psychologically,” Adele Khodr, UNICEF’s regional director, said in a statement.
“Many are suffering from anxiety, flashbacks and nightmares related to the explosions. No child should be exposed to such horrific situations.”
The most common injuries include concussions, shrapnel wounds, and hearing loss from blasts, UNICEF said.
A wounded girl lies in a hospital bed in the southern village of Saksakiyeh, Lebanon, on September 24
