A recent attack near Hiram Hospital in the Sour district has impacted the facility for the fifth time since March 2, causing structural damage and injuring 10 healthcare workers, according to local officials.
Deep Concern Over Healthcare Impact
The United Nations expressed deep concern over the ongoing impact of hostilities on healthcare services and access to essential services for civilians. Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN, stated on Friday, “We are deeply concerned about the ongoing impact of hostilities on health care and people’s access to essential services.”
Across Lebanon, 17 hospitals, including three in Sour, have sustained damage during the escalation that began in March. World Health Organization (WHO) reports indicate that 135 healthcare and first responders have lost their lives, with approximately 400 others injured.
Amidst the crisis, humanitarian partners continue to provide support to affected families nationwide. Over 182,000 individuals have received essential aid supplies since the current escalation began.
Intense Aerial Activity Reported
On Thursday, the UN peacekeeping mission UNIFIL, tasked with monitoring the demarcation line between Israel and South Lebanon, reported intense aerial activity involving warplanes and various unmanned aerial systems. This included 72 violations of Lebanese airspace and a total of eight airstrikes by Israeli warplanes within UNIFIL’s area of operation.
Dujarric further detailed that the peacekeeping force registered 531 “overflights” on Thursday. Approximately 526 originated from Israeli positions south of the Blue Line and within UNIFIL’s area of operation. Five attacks, presumed to be launched by Hezbollah, were also recorded, with one crossing the demarcation line.
Road and Bridge Repairs Underway
Despite the significant escalation in violence over the past three months, UNIFIL maintains its deployment across all positions in South Lebanon, continuing to fulfill its mandated tasks. In recent weeks, peacekeepers have worked closely with the national army and local authorities to restore access and repair roads and bridges within their operational areas.
These efforts are crucial for ensuring the peacekeeping force’s mobility and maintaining humanitarian access in a region experiencing daily clashes, ground combat, airstrikes, destruction, and displacement. Roads in several areas, including Shama, Ramyah, Marwahin, Ayta as-Sha’b, Marjayoun, Kfar Kila, and Houla, have been repaired, and obstructions removed.
In locations where major craters or threats rendered repairs impossible, peacekeepers constructed bypass routes to re-establish access. Notably, Chinese peacekeepers from the mission repaired a vital bridge near Al Bayyadah that had sustained heavy damage during the conflict.
