The United Nations Office at Geneva
Multimedia Newsroom
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
UN Human Rights Spokesperson Thameen Al Kheetan on increasing attacks by Israel in Lebanon
“Almost a year since the ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel was agreed, we continue to witness increasing attacks by the Israeli military resulting in the killing of civilians and destruction of civilian objects in Lebanon, coupled with alarming threats of a wider, intensified offensive,” UN Human Rights spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan said.
“The Israeli military’s attacks have resulted in the killing of at least 127 civilians in Lebanon since the ceasefire agreement came into effect on 27 November 2024, and up until 24 November this year.”
“In addition to killing and injuring civilians, Israeli attacks in Lebanon have destroyed and damaged civilian infrastructure, including housing units, roads, factories and construction sites,” Al-Kheetan added.
“In one of the latest and deadliest attacks, at least 13 civilians, including 11 children, were killed and at least six civilians injured last week in an Israeli strike on the Ein El-Hilweh camp for Palestinian refugees. All the fatalities we have documented as a result of this strike were civilians, raising serious concerns that the Israeli military’s attack may have violated international humanitarian law principles on the conduct of hostilities,” the spokesperson said.
“They have also severely hampered reconstruction efforts and attempts by internally displaced people to go back to their homes in southern Lebanon. For example, on 16 November, an Israeli strike hit a cement and asphalt factory in the town of Ansar, destroying dozens of concrete mixers, cranes and fuel tanks,” Al-Kheetan said.
“There must be prompt and impartial investigations into the Ein El-Hilweh strike, as well as all other incidents involving possible violations of international humanitarian law by all parties, both before and after the ceasefire. Those responsible must be held to account,” he said.
SCRIPT- Arabic:
بعد مرور عام تقريباً على اتفاق وقف إطلاق النار بين لبنان وإسرائيل، ما زلنا نشهد هجمات متزايدة من قبل الجيش الإسرائيلي تؤدي إلى مقتل مدنيين وتدمير ممتلكات مدنية في لبنان، إلى جانب تهديدات مقلقة بشن هجوم مكثف وأوسع نطاقاً.
هجمات الجيش الإسرائيلي أسفرت عن مقتل ما لا يقل عن 127 مدنياً في لبنان منذ دخول اتفاق وقف إطلاق النار حيز التنفيذ في 27 تشرين الثاني/نوفمبر 2024 وحتى 24 تشرين الثاني/نوفمبر من هذا العام.
وفي واحدة من أحدث الهجمات وأكثرها دموية، قُتل ما لا يقل عن 13 مدنياً، بينهم 11 طفلاً، وأصيب ستة مدنيين على الأقل الأسبوع الماضي في غارة إسرائيلية على مخيم عين الحلوة للاجئين الفلسطينيين. جميع الضحايا الذين وثقنا مقتلهم نتيجة لهذه الغارة كانوا مدنيين، مما يثير مخاوف جدية من أن هجوم الجيش الإسرائيلي يحتمل أن يكون انتهك مبادئ القانون الدولي الإنساني المتعلقة بسير الأعمال العدائية.
يجب إجراء تحقيقات سريعة ونزيهة في غارة عين الحلوة، وكذلك في جميع الحوادث الأخرى التي تنطوي على انتهاكات محتملة للقانون الدولي الإنساني من قبل جميع الأطراف، قبل وبعد وقف إطلاق النار. ويجب تقديم المسؤولين عنها إلى العدالة.
بالإضافة إلى قتل وإصابة المدنيين، دمرت الهجمات الإسرائيلية في لبنان بنية تحتية مدنية وألحقت بها أضراراً، بما في ذلك الوحداتُ السكنية والطرق والمصانع ومواقعُ البناء. كما أعاقت بشكل خطير جهود إعادة الإعمار ومحاولاتِ النازحين للعودة إلى ديارهم في جنوب لبنان.
أكثر من 64 ألف شخص، معظمهم من سكان جنوب لبنان، لا يزالون مشتتين في أجزاء أخرى من البلاد. يجب أن يتمكن جميع النازحين من العودة إلى بيوتهم، ويجب دعم إعادة الإعمار، لا إعاقتها.
English translation:
Almost a year since the ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel was agreed, we continue to witness increasing attacks by the Israeli military resulting in the killing of civilians and destruction of civilian objects in Lebanon, coupled with alarming threats of a wider, intensified offensive.
The Israeli military’s attacks have resulted in the killing of at least 127 civilians in Lebanon since the ceasefire agreement came into effect on 27 November 2024, and up until 24 November this year.
In one of the latest and deadliest attacks, at least 13 civilians, including 11 children, were killed and at least six civilians injured last week in an Israeli strike on the Ein El-Hilweh camp for Palestinian refugees. All the fatalities we have documented as a result of this strike were civilians, raising serious concerns that the Israeli military’s attack may have violated international humanitarian law principles on the conduct of hostilities.
There must be prompt and impartial investigations into the Ein El-Hilweh strike, as well as all other incidents involving possible violations of international humanitarian law by all parties, both before and after the ceasefire. Those responsible must be brought to justice.
For more information and media requests, please contact (DELETE AS APPROPRIATE )
In Geneva:
Ravina Shamdasani: +41 22 917 9169 / ravina.shamdasani@un.org
Liz Throssell: +41 22 917 9296 / elizabeth.throssell@un.org
Jeremy Laurence: +41 22 917 9383 / jeremy.laurence@un.org
Marta Hurtado: +41 22 917 9466 / marta.hurtadogomez@un.org
Thameen Al-Kheetan: +41 22 917 4232 / thameen.alkheetan@un.org
In Nairobi:
Seif Magango: +254 788 343 897/ seif.magango@un.org
Tag and share - X: @UNHumanRights and Facebook: unitednationshumanrights
STORY: UN Human Rights Spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan on increasing attacks by Isreal in Lebanon
TRT: 02:44
SOURCE: OHCHR / UNOG
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: English/NATS
ASPECT RATIO: 16:9
DATELINE: 25 November 2025 GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
SHOTLIST:
- Exterior shots : Palais des Nations
- Interior shots : Briefing room
- SOUNDBITE (English)—Thameen Al-Kheetan, Spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): “Almost a year since the ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel was agreed, we continue to witness increasing attacks by the Israeli military resulting in the killing of civilians and destruction of civilian objects in Lebanon, coupled with alarming threats of a wider, intensified offensive.”
- Cut aways: Briefing room
- SOUNDBITE (English)—Thameen Al-Kheetan, Spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): “The Israeli military’s attacks have resulted in the killing of at least 127 civilians in Lebanon since the ceasefire agreement came into effect on 27 November 2024, and up until 24 November this year.”
- Cut aways: Briefing room
- SOUNDBITE (English)—Thameen Al-Kheetan, Spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): “In addition to killing and injuring civilians, Israeli attacks in Lebanon have destroyed and damaged civilian infrastructure, including housing units, roads, factories and construction sites.”
- Cut aways: Briefing room
- SOUNDBITE (English)—Thameen Al-Kheetan, Spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): “In one of the latest and deadliest attacks, at least 13 civilians, including 11 children, were killed and at least six civilians injured last week in an Israeli strike on the Ein El-Hilweh camp for Palestinian refugees. All the fatalities we have documented as a result of this strike were civilians, raising serious concerns that the Israeli military’s attack may have violated international humanitarian law principles on the conduct of hostilities.”
- Cut aways: Briefing room
- SOUNDBITE (English)—Thameen Al-Kheetan, Spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): “They have also severely hampered reconstruction efforts and attempts by internally displaced people to go back to their homes in southern Lebanon. For example, on 16 November, an Israeli strike hit a cement and asphalt factory in the town of Ansar, destroying dozens of concrete mixers, cranes and fuel tanks.”
- Cut aways: Briefing room
- SOUNDBITE (English)—Thameen Al-Kheetan, Spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): “There must be prompt and impartial investigations into the Ein El-Hilweh strike, as well as all other incidents involving possible violations of international humanitarian law by all parties, both before and after the ceasefire. Those responsible must be held to account.”
Similar Stories
1
1
1
Edited News | WHO , UNICEF
Aid agencies in Yemen highlighted the growing hunger emergency sparked by renewed fighting between Houthi opposition forces and Government troops, after mobile health clinics reported that hundreds of children displaced by the violence are suffering from the most deadly form of malnutrition.
1
1
1
Edited News | UNHCR
Displacement on the rise in Yemen as fighting continues - UNHCR
As hostilities worsen in Yemen, more people have been fleeing their homes, further intensifying the humanitarian crisis within the region, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) warned on Tuesday.
1
1
1
Edited News | IOM , OHCHR , UNFPA , UNOG , UNHCR , WHO
Yemen’s humanitarian crisis growing by the hour amid spike in displacement
Yemenis displaced by renewed fighting have described fleeing for their lives amid shelling and gunfire, aid agencies reported on Friday, while highlighting the dramatic increase in humanitarian needs in the country and in Djibouti, where thousands have sought shelter.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
The UN Human Rights Office issued on Friday a report documenting a shocking pattern of sexual violence amid Russia’s full-scale armed attack on Ukraine.
2
1
2
Edited News , Press Conferences | WMO
As world’s water reserves change, countries must prepare for a new reality: WMO
New data showing that rivers were at their lowest level for decades last year provides further evidence that the climate crisis is real and countries must act immediately to protect themselves from the increasing threat to communities and livelihoods, the UN World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said on Thursday.
The key findings from WMO’s State of Global Water Resources 2025 report covering the hydrological cycle and extreme events in the five-year period to last year:
- 2025 was one of driest years for river discharge in 35 years
- Past seven years have seen abnorfmal river flows
- Water storage on Earth’s land surface has decreased in past decade
- Widespread glacier loss across all regions for fourth consecutive year
- Asia and Africa are regions most affected by water-related disasters
- Water data availability has improved, but gaps remain in hard-hit areas
Highlighting the long-term decline in the Earth’s freshwater storage and glacier melt, WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo explained that the planet’s water reserves used to act as a planetary “savings account” that absorbed the occasional dry season, avoiding a water crisis. “One of the central stories of the 2025 report is what is happening to that savings account? And the simple answer is that we are depleting it,” she told journalists in Geneva.
Groundwater reserves are equally stretched and have been in decline since 2014, WMO’s report states, with nearly two-thirds of monitored wells worldwide showing levels lower than the historical norm and indicating a shift “further toward deficit…not recovery”.
“At the same time, we are seeing more water-related disasters,” Ms. Saulo said, while also stressing that the currently strengthening El Niño “will increase the risk of drought in some areas, and flooding in others”.
Glaciers disappearing
In 2025, for the fourth consecutive year, every major glaciated region on Earth lost ice mass, leading to short-term hazards including floods and long-term water insecurity, according to WMO.
Responding to a question about whether the changing global water cycle might have contributed to the deadly Nepal-China flooding disaster, Ms. Saulo explained that melting ice and rock was just one factor in the chain of events that ultimately sent a massive and deadly wall of water and debris downstream on 26 August, killing at least 1,367 people.
“You asked if it could happen again? Absolutely; the problem in this region is that there’s 63,700 glaciers at the last count,” she told a Press Conference in Geneva. “Even if you’re looking with remote sensing with satellites at these glaciers, you might see some faults, you might see some slight shifting, that does not mean necessarily catastrophic collapse. So, in order to plan for this, it’s very, very difficult. But the international community is looking very hard at ways in which we can bring people together to solve some of these monitoring issues.”
Data indicates that glaciers shrank between 2023 and 2025 with cumulative losses of 1,400 gigatonnes of water – or about one third of annual fresh water needs.
Every major glacier region on Earth lost ice for the fourth consecutive year.
“All 19 glacier regions around the globe lost ice; in Central Asia, Iceland, the Russian Arctic and western Canada and the United States, it was among the three worst years on record,” said Wayne Jenkinson, WMO’s Director of Hydrology and Cryosphere.
Some regions with smaller glaciers such as Central Europe, the Caucasus, the western Canada and the United States may already have reached “peak water”, Mr. Jenkinson warned.
“After this point, the glacier gives less meltwater each year simply because there is less ice left to melt. That matters for every community downstream that relies on water during hot, dry summers,” he explained.
Narelle van der Wel, WMO’s Head of Cryosphere Monitoring, Predictions and Services, stressed that while some further glacier loss is unavoidable, the eventual scale of the decline is not predetermined.
“Some glacier loss is inevitable, but total loss of glaciers is not yet inevitable,” she said, pointing to emissions reductions as central to limiting future losses.
Preparing for moving baselines
The report does not attribute every observed change to climate change alone. WMO says pressure on water resources and natural variability also contribute.
Mr. Jenkinson said governments need to prepare for “moving baselines” as historical patterns become less reliable.
“The situation 30 years ago is not where we are today,” he said. Countries, he added, need to prepare “for those changes that have really already arrived”.
ends
1
1
1
Edited News | OCHA , WHO
The deadly Ebola virus outbreak in DR Congo continues to spread across the vast country despite some success in containing it, aid officials said on Tuesday, in a renewed call for international support to help responders on the ground.
2
1
2
Press Conferences , Edited News | WFP
‘Super El Niño’ and converging crises worsen hunger in South Sudan and across the region - WFP
South Sudan’s hunger crisis is becoming increasingly catastrophic as violence, extreme weather and dwindling aid leave millions without enough food, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) warned on Tuesday.
1
1
1
Edited News | UN WOMEN
In war-torn Gaza, a growing number of women-headed households face “impossible decisions” every day, amid ongoing Israeli airstrikes and still-scarce resources, UN humanitarians said on Tuesday.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk made the following remarks to the Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar at the 63rd Human Rights Council.
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk today delivered an update on the global human rights situation to the 63rdsession of the Human Rights Council in Geneva.
1
1
1
Edited News | WHO
Repeated attacks on humanitarian warehouses put vital medical aid at risk in Ukraine - WHO
A new airstrike overnight damaged one of the main warehouses used by the UN health agency to store humanitarian medical supplies in the Kyiv region, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday. This is the third attack to affect a WHO-used storage in the last three months.
2
2
2
Press Conferences , Edited News | WMO
Powerful El Niño heightens extreme-weather risks through 2027, as countries brace for impact - WMO
Fuelled by extraordinarily warm waters across the tropical Pacific Ocean, the El Niño climate pattern is expected to intensify in the coming months. Forecasters are almost certain that it will persist through February next year, with unusually warm conditions expected across the globe.