Pakistan warns UN over Lebanon crisis

Envoy says 20% of country under Israeli occupation

Pakistan on Tuesday expressed grave concern over the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in Lebanon, warning that ongoing Israeli military operations are causing mass civilian suffering and undermining peace efforts, according to a statement delivered at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on the recent situation in Lebanon.

Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said he was "joining colleagues in also thanking ASC Martha Phobi for a comprehensive, yet deeply alarming briefing".

He told the Council that despite ceasefire arrangements and direct talks, "the security and humanitarian situation in Lebanon continues to deteriorate drastically, with an expansion of Israeli military operations and ground incursions into Lebanese territory".

He further stated that "two thousand square kilometres, nearly 20 per cent of Lebanon, now lies under illegal Israeli occupation," adding that "unlawful evacuation orders are further inflicting immense suffering on civilians".

According to Iftikhar, "it seems it is the same strategy, the same playbook that we have seen elsewhere: indiscriminate killing, forced displacement, and occupation".

The Ambassador told the Council that since March, "more than 3,400 people, including women and children, have been killed and over 10,000 injured," while "more than one million are displaced." He cited UN humanitarian assessments saying civilians face "an appalling escalation of violence, displacement, and human loss". He also raised alarm over attacks on aid workers, noting "125 health workers killed and over 300 injured since March, according to the WHO".

Pakistan further condemned attacks on cultural heritage sites, saying "the Tyre UNESCO World Heritage Site, under enhanced protection, has been struck, along with the capture of Beaufort Castle".

Iftikhar said "all these reckless Israeli actions, condemnable as they are, and which violate Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity, constitute a flagrant breach of international law," adding they "seriously undermine diplomatic efforts to achieve lasting peace and stability in Lebanon and the region".

Reaffirming Pakistan's diplomatic stance, he said, "Pakistan supports all diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalation and echoes the Secretary-General's call on all sides to fully utilize diplomatic channels and recommit to the full implementation of Resolution 1701".