UNITED NATIONS, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Despite a nearly month-long ceasefire, attacks affecting civilians and frontline responders in Lebanon continue to be reported daily, UN humanitarians said Thursday.
A series of drone strikes on cars in the Jiyeh area, approximately 20 km south of the capital city of Beirut, killed at least eight people, including two children, on Wednesday, said the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), citing figures of Lebanese authorities.
According to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health, at least 2,896 people have been killed, including 200 children, and more than 8,000 injured since the latest escalation on March 2, OCHA said.
The office said the number of people displaced from their homes also continues to increase nationwide following deterioration of the security situation. Nearly 130,000 people are sheltering in 632 collective shelters.
OCHA said that renewed displacement orders were issued for eight villages in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa governorate, prompting further population movements.
"Humanitarian partners report that both newly displaced families and those returning to shelters are contributing to the increase," the office said. "Insecurity and the extent of destruction continue to prevent safe and sustained returns."
OCHA said that access to humanitarians and supplies remains possible but constrained, particularly in southern Lebanon, where damaged roads and bridges, unexploded ordnance, conflict debris and insecurity delay movements and hinder the restoration of essential services.
The office said that since the escalation began, 132 humanitarian movements carrying essential supplies have been facilitated. ■
