UN Chief Demands Israeli Withdrawal from Lebanon as Nabatieh Fighting Escalates

The United Nations has called for an immediate halt to hostilities in Lebanon and urged Israel to withdraw from Lebanese territory as Israeli military operations intensify in and around the southern Nabatieh District.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres, through his spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, expressed alarm over growing civilian casualties, displacement and what the UN described as “massive destruction and devastation” in the area.

The UN said women and children were among those killed and injured, while damage to civilian infrastructure and mounting pressure on healthcare services were making the humanitarian situation increasingly difficult.

UN warns of growing civilian toll

The Secretary-General condemned reports of increasing civilian deaths and injuries, as well as displacement caused by evacuation orders and military operations.

The UN said it was particularly concerned by reports that Israeli strikes had affected hospitals, healthcare workers and public institutions.

Under international humanitarian law, civilians and civilian infrastructure—including medical facilities and personnel—must be protected during armed conflict.

The UN also warned that restrictions on humanitarian access could make it increasingly difficult to deliver assistance to people affected by the fighting.

20,000 people reportedly displaced

The escalation has already triggered a significant movement of civilians from the Nabatieh area.

According to figures from local authorities cited by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, approximately 5,000 families—around 20,000 people—left Nabatieh District during the previous week.

The departures have added pressure to already strained local services, particularly healthcare.

The UN stressed that humanitarian access must remain open so that aid organizations can reach displaced and vulnerable civilians.

UN calls for Israeli withdrawal

Guterres called on all sides to respect Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity and urged the parties to comply with UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

The resolution, adopted in 2006, established a framework intended to end hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah and strengthen the role of the Lebanese state and UN peacekeeping forces in southern Lebanon.

The Secretary-General also called for a lasting end to the conflict rather than another temporary reduction in fighting.

The demand for an Israeli withdrawal is particularly significant as military activity has expanded beyond isolated exchanges and increasingly affected civilian areas.

UNIFIL records sharp rise in military activity

The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reported a substantial increase in Israeli military activity within and around its area of operations between Thursday and Monday.UNIFIL said the 62 airspace violations recorded on Sunday were among its highest daily totals since June.

The peacekeeping mission also reported airstrikes in both sectors of its area of operations and north of the Litani River.

Roadblocks and checkpoints were also reported to have restricted the movement of UNIFIL personnel, creating additional challenges for peacekeeping and humanitarian operations.

Healthcare system under increasing pressure

The combination of displacement, damage and restricted movement is placing additional strain on Lebanon's healthcare system.

Hospitals and healthcare workers are operating in an environment where access to affected communities can become difficult, while civilians fleeing their homes may require emergency medical treatment, shelter and other assistance.

The UN has therefore emphasized that protecting healthcare facilities and ensuring humanitarian access are essential as the fighting continues.

Why Nabatieh matters

The latest escalation is significant because Nabatieh is one of southern Lebanon's major population centres and lies within a region that has repeatedly been affected by fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.

Continued military operations in the area could create a wider humanitarian crisis if more communities are forced to evacuate.

It could also make it harder for UNIFIL to carry out its mandate, particularly if checkpoints, roadblocks and ongoing military activity restrict peacekeepers' ability to move through the area.

What happens next?

The UN's latest statement puts renewed international pressure on Israel and other parties to reduce the violence.

But the humanitarian situation could deteriorate further if hostilities continue, particularly with thousands of families already displaced and healthcare services under strain.

The UN is now calling for three immediate priorities: an end to hostilities, protection of civilians and humanitarian infrastructure, and respect for Lebanon's sovereignty and Resolution 1701.