UN humanitarian officials have urgently called for action to prevent the escalating conflict in Lebanon from resulting in devastation similar to that seen in Gaza. Matthew Hollingworth, the Lebanon country director for the World Food Programme, expressed deep concern about the situation, drawing parallels between the two conflicts. He emphasized the need to stop the “spiral of doom” that could engulf Lebanon, highlighting the severe impact already felt by civilians.
As the conflict intensifies, airstrikes in Lebanon have reportedly resulted in over 1,100 deaths and the displacement of more than a million people within just two weeks. The humanitarian situation is dire, with calls for de-escalation to address the soaring needs of the affected populations. Hollingworth noted that while WFP is currently assisting about 150,000 people daily, they should be reaching nearly a million people.
The UN officials pointed out the alarming similarities in displacement and the impact on children between the situations in Gaza and Lebanon. They underscored the urgency of preventing further devastation in Lebanon, echoing the sentiment that the international community cannot allow history to repeat itself in this context.