Beirut (Lamaane.net) – The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on Monday that the humanitarian situation in Lebanon continues to deteriorate despite a declared ceasefire, as Israeli airstrikes persist across southern regions and reported casualties include medical personnel during ongoing escalation on Monday.
The agency stated that more than 100 airstrikes were recorded within a 24-hour period, while 87 people were killed over the weekend, according to figures compiled from Lebanon’s Ministry of Health and cited in the UN briefing. The escalation follows intensified cross-border hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah since March 2.
A spokesperson for OCHA said humanitarian access and civilian safety are being severely affected. "We are witnessing sustained strikes in populated areas and increasing pressure on already overstretched emergency services,” the spokesperson said, speaking on condition of attribution. "The protection of civilians and medical workers must be ensured under international humanitarian law.”
Lebanon’s Ministry of Health reported that at least two paramedics were killed and several others injured in Israeli strikes targeting areas linked to healthcare response operations in the towns of Qlaia and Tebnine in southern Lebanon. The personnel were reportedly responding to earlier incidents when the strikes occurred.
"The targeting of medical teams while performing their duties is deeply concerning,” said Racha Wissam, a health official at a regional hospital in Tyre, in remarks cited by Lamaane News Network. "Our ambulances are operating under constant threat, and response capacity is being severely disrupted.”
The World Health Organization said it has documented 158 attacks on healthcare facilities since the escalation began, resulting in 108 deaths and 249 injuries. "Health systems must never be a target in conflict situations,” a WHO representative said in a statement, warning of long-term damage to emergency care infrastructure.
On the ground in southern Lebanon, residents in the town of Khiyam reported intermittent artillery fire and low-flying aircraft activity on Monday evening, while Israeli forces conducted machine-gun sweeping operations in the area, according to local accounts. In Sajad, airstrikes were reported shortly after sunset, sending residents into temporary shelters.
"Explosions were heard repeatedly, and many families moved away from exposed areas,” said Imad Youssef, a resident of southern Lebanon, describing a "tense and uncertain night.”
According to Lebanese government data, at least 2,846 people have been killed and 8,693 injured since March 2, when hostilities sharply escalated between Israel and Hezbollah.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun called on international partners to increase diplomatic pressure on Israel to halt operations in southern Lebanon. Meanwhile, discussions are underway ahead of planned Lebanese-Israeli talks in Washington later this week, following an announcement by a U.S. State Department official regarding upcoming negotiations.
The ongoing strikes highlight the fragility of ceasefire arrangements and the growing strain on civilian infrastructure, particularly healthcare services, amid sustained military activity. Analysts say the continued targeting of emergency response networks risks deepening the humanitarian crisis and complicating diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalation.
