Lebanon-Israel Tensions Escalate as Gaza Aid, Medical Evacuations Continue

Lebanon-Israel Tensions Escalate as Gaza Aid, Medical Evacuations Continue
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The security situation along the Lebanon-Israel border has deteriorated sharply, while humanitarian operations in Gaza continue amid growing medical and winter preparedness needs, the United Nations said on September 3.

UN peacekeepers reported a significant increase in Israeli military activity along the Blue Line, with 56 projectiles recorded on September 1 and 84 the following day. The United Nations said Israeli forces have continued air, ground and naval operations, while strengthening and fortifying positions north of the Blue Line in what it described as violations of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and Lebanon’s sovereignty.

UNIFIL also reported daily violations of Lebanese airspace and observed what appeared to be Israeli civilian personnel involved in demolition work supporting military operations. The UN called again for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from positions north of the Blue Line.

At the same time, UNIFIL has continued humanitarian coordination in southern Lebanon, facilitating 20 humanitarian missions between Monday and Wednesday despite the heightened tensions.

In Gaza, UN humanitarian teams collected hundreds of pallets of aid through the Kerem Shalom crossing, including infant and children’s food, adult diapers and school bags. The World Health Organization said more than 13,000 patients, including over 6,000 children, have been medically evacuated from Gaza since October 2023. However, thousands more still require specialized treatment unavailable inside the enclave.

The UN also called for the reopening of medical referral routes from Gaza to hospitals in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.