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TRANSCRIPT
In Lebanon, UN chief Antonio Guterres is calling it a solidarity visit.
“I’m here as a friend of the Lebanese people in full solidarity with the Lebanese people. I know that the Lebanese are suffering enormously.”
Meeting displaced families in a Beirut shelter, he says the impact of the ongoing war on civilians is clear to see.
“The south of Lebanon risks being turned into a wasteland. Southern Beirut, which is under sweeping evacuation orders by Israel, risks being bombed to oblivion. The Beqaa and Baalbek and other areas are scenes of destruction and panic. It is tragic to see all this happening in a country that has contributed so much to world civilisation.”
Five days after Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel over the assassination of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, half a million people living in Lebanon became internally displaced.
Now, more than two weeks on - the number of people displaced is 15 per cent of Lebanon's population - 850,000 people, including 200,000 children.
That group includes people who have already been displaced in the past, with Lebanon hosting the highest number of refugees per capita worldwide: 1.5 million Syrian refugees and more than 13-thousand refugees of other nationalities.
Mr Guterres says what is unfolding now is a humanitarian crisis of epic proportions.
“When I was High Commissioner for Refugees, I saw the generosity of the Lebanese receiving so many Syrians, so many Palestinians and today, it really breaks my heart to see the Lebanese people suffering so much. 800,000 displaced, 1500 dead and in an absolutely dramatic situation. And my message is very clear. We must stop this war.”
The Lebanese health ministry says the death toll over the past fortnight of fighting has now reached 850.
The World Health Organization says health workers are also among the casualities, with 12 doctors, paramedics and nurses killed in a strike on Friday.
Lebanese Health Minister, Rakan Nassereddine, says he rejects Israel's explanation for the targeting of healthcare teams.
"The Israeli occupation had unfortunately been claiming that ambulances were being used for non-health and non-medical purposes. We affirm and assert that this is unjustified. These vehicles are transporting the wounded and the sick, and these nurses, doctors, and paramedics are going in those vehicles with their own lives at risk. All international laws and the Geneva Conventions protect these vehicles, yet they are being targeted.”
Lebanon has already endured more than a year of war, as fighting continued in violation of a fragile ceasefire agreed upon in November 2024, which was designed to bring an end to hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah.
French President Emmanuel Macron has offered to host ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Lebanon in Paris.
Israeli media is reporting that Israel is forming a delegation for talks, although no date has been set.
Lebanon's President, Joseph Aoun, has been seeking a full ceasefire to allow negotiations to take place.
Israel has already deployed ground forces into Lebanon, and there are signs that could be ramped up.
US news site Axios is citing US and Israeli officials saying plans are in motion for a potential major ground invasion of Lebanon "aiming to seize the entire area south of the Litani River".
Israeli army spokesman brigadier general Effie Defrin says Israel is determined to eliminate Hezbollah.
"The entire IDF is prepared and determined to complete the mission and remove the threats facing the State of Israel. We will continue to strike in Iran and against Hezbollah until we remove the threats and achieve the objectives of the operation.”
Over the past 50 years, Israel has staged multiple ground invasions of Lebanon: in 1978, 1982 and 2006.
On the International Crisis Group’s 'Hold Your Fire!' podcast, the non-profit's Lebanon expert, David Wood, says the tactics Israel uses against Hezbollah could involve a buffer zone; or a ramp up of Israeli ground troops.
“So one could be a rerun of what happened in November 2024, which is that Israel uses its military superiority to impose new ceasefire terms on Lebanon, which obviously would be more onerous than the ones that came before. Another could be this idea that's been floated of creating some kind of permanent security zone in southern Lebanon. There would be a buffer zone, which now de facto exists because of these displacement orders, where people simply cannot return. It's not clear how long that buffer zone would exist, and it's also not clear how deep it would go into Lebanese territory. And the third option that I was going to mention to you is the most maximalist, and that is to take out Hezbollah almost root and branch if, if you want to call it that. And it won't be able to do that from the air, and it will need ground troops who are dealing with military assets that exist there.”
For those who have been displaced in Lebanon, they have found refuge where they can, including in crowded collective shelters - with limited access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene.
Access to health services is limited, with 49 primary health care centres and five hospitals shut in Lebanon due to the evacuation orders issued by Israel's military.
Abu is now living in a tent on the side of the road in Beirut's Ramlet al-Baida seafront.
"Last night, we were just sitting in God's protection. We heard the first boom and the second boom... amid the tents. Who's in these tents? There are children, elderly people, and women in them. Israel... what justification will it create for last night's strike?”
In Beirut, a school has been turned into a shelter to house and feed those displaced.
Volunteer Nader Sabra says the amount of need is great.
"We have approximately four buildings. These four buildings, initially, host around 2,500 displaced people. And the number of displaced people is increasing every day.”
Cook Ghadir Chami says citizens have had to step up, as the assistance from foreign groups and NGOs has not mobilised fast enough.
"We started in Ramadan, we were making daily meals of around 2,000 to 3,000 meals, which were only for people who were fasting; those who used to take (meals) from several areas distributed (them) to people who needed to eat in these difficult circumstances. A few days later the war started and we started making around 6,000 to 7,000 meals every day. We volunteered, it is volunteer work, certainly because we feel for our displaced people.”
Aid groups say global crises have restricted their response in Lebanon, which before the latest escalation was already grappling with the impacts of the 2019 economic collapse, the 2020 Beirut port explosion and the 2024 war between Hezbollah and Israel.
Mr Guterres urged the international community to move quickly to step up engagement and support for Lebanon.
“For years, Lebanon has opened its doors to those fleeing conflict. The people of Lebanon have shown the world the true meaning of hospitality, solidarity and resilience. Now, the world must show the people of Lebanon our strongest support in this hour of grave danger and profound need.”
He says the UN has launched an emergency appeal to raise A$439 million to provide lifesaving aid over the next three months, covering food, clean water, health care, education.
But Mr Guterres says ultimately what is needed is a permanent ceasefire to end the fighting long-term.
“My strong appeal to both parties, to Hezbollah and to Israel, is for a ceasefire to stop war and pave the way to find a solution that would allow Lebanon to become a country independent, with sovereignty and territorial integrity respected. This is no longer the time of armed groups. This is the time of strong states.”
