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STORY: UN / LEBANON UPDATE
TRT: 03:07
SOURCE: UNIFEED
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGES: ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: 15 NOVEMBER 2024, NEW YORK CITY / FILE
FILE – NEW YORK CITY
1. Wide shot, United Nations headquarters
15 NOVEMBER 2024, NEW YORK CITY
2. Various shots, spokesperson walking up to the dais
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, United Nations:
“Our peacekeeping forces in South Lebanon reports that one of the patrols near Qallawiyah noticed a cache of ammunitions near the roadway. After informing the Lebanese Armed Forces of the discovery, peacekeepers continued on their planned route. A short while later, they got out of their vehicle to remove some debris from the roadway. When getting back into their vehicles, two or three unknown people fired approximately 30 shots in their direction. The peacekeepers fired back from their vehicles and moved to safety. No one was hurt and there was no damage to the vehicles. Peacekeepers, as we have said repeatedly, must never be a target. All actors are reminded of their obligation to ensure the safety and security of peacekeepers. We are also aware of media reports and claims by the parties about strikes outside of UNIFIL’s area of operations, both in Lebanon and in Israel. The increasing impact on civilians remains of grave concern and we condemn all civilian loss of lives. As we have been saying, parties to the conflict must adhere to international law and protect civilians and civilian infrastructure. We continue to support efforts towards a ceasefire and a diplomatic solution.”
4. Med shot, journalists
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, United Nations:
“On the humanitarian front in Lebanon. Our colleagues confirmed that two convoys delivered essential medical supplies, hygiene and dignity kits to two hospitals, as well as a Primary Health Care Clinic in the Baalbeck-Hermel Governorate. And a third convoy went to Sarafand in South Lebanon Governorate, with supplies to support the rehabilitation of a Primary Health Care Centre that suffered severe damage in the recent fighting, because of airstrikes. Yesterday, the Word Health Organization, UNICEF and the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health launched a national vaccination campaign to protect children under 10 years of age from polio, measles, rubella, and mumps. The campaign will run until the end of the year. Meanwhile, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs continues to be alarmed by the mounting human toll of Israeli airstrikes in densely populated areas around the country. Yesterday, the Bekaa and Baalbeck regions, in the east of the country, sustained heavy airstrikes with one hitting a Lebanese Civil Defense centre in Douris in Baalbeck-Hermel Governorate. According to what the authorities are telling us, 13 volunteers and rescuers were killed in the attack, and several are still missing. Parties to the conflict – everywhere - must also take all feasible precautions to protect civilians and civilian objects under their control against any attacks against civilians.”
6. Wide shot, end of press briefing
The United Nations condemned the targeting of its peacekeepers and the escalating toll on civilians amid ongoing violence in Lebanon and the surrounding region, a UN spokesperson said.
During a press briefing at UN headquarters in New York City today (15 Nov), Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for Secretary-General António Guterres outlined a recent incident involving peacekeeping forces in South Lebanon. He said, "Our peacekeeping forces in South Lebanon report that a patrol near Qallawiyah discovered a cache of ammunition near the roadway. After notifying the Lebanese Armed Forces, the patrol continued on its route.”
He detailed a subsequent encounter where peacekeepers exited their vehicles to clear debris. "As they returned to their vehicles, two or three unknown individuals fired approximately 30 shots in their direction. The peacekeepers returned fire from their vehicles and moved to safety. Thankfully, there were no injuries or damage to the vehicles," Dujarric added, reiterating that peacekeepers must never be targeted. He reminded all actors of their obligation to ensure peacekeepers’ safety and emphasized adherence to international law.
Turning to the broader crisis, Dujarric addressed reports of strikes outside the UNIFIL area of operations in Lebanon and Israel. He expressed concern over the increasing impact on civilians. "The loss of civilian lives is of grave concern, and we condemn all civilian casualties," he said, urging all parties to adhere to international law and protect civilians and infrastructure.
On the humanitarian front, Dujarric highlighted ongoing relief efforts in Lebanon. He said two convoys delivered medical supplies and hygiene kits to hospitals and a primary health clinic in Baalbeck-Hermel Governorate. Another convoy provided supplies to help rehabilitate a clinic in Sarafand, South Lebanon, that was severely damaged by airstrikes.
Meanwhile, a national vaccination campaign was launched by the WHO, UNICEF, and Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health. Dujarric said, “The campaign aims to protect children under 10 from polio, measles, rubella, and mumps and will run until the end of the year.”
The spokesperson also expressed alarm over the rising human toll from airstrikes. He reported that heavy airstrikes targeted the Bekaa and Baalbeck regions on Thursday, including one that struck a Lebanese Civil Defense center in Douris, Baalbeck-Hermel Governorate. Citing Lebanese authorities, he said, “Thirteen volunteers and rescuers were killed, and several remain missing.”
Dujarric reiterated that all parties must take feasible precautions to protect civilians and civilian objects, emphasizing the need for a ceasefire and a diplomatic resolution to the conflict.
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