Norwegian NGO 'urgently appeals' for de-escalation of Israeli attacks in Lebanon

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - A Norwegian non-governmental organization (NGO) on Monday expressed concern over Israeli airstrikes on Lebanese villages, calling for immediate de-escalation as the situation reaches "a new and incredibly dangerous level."

In a statement, Jan Egeland, the Norwegian Refugee Council’s secretary general, said that residential areas and densely populated neighborhoods were bombed in Lebanon, "which means the human toll will be immense."

"Israel’s airstrikes across Lebanese villages and cities on Monday are the most violent in 11 months," said Egeland, adding that families were told they only had a couple of hours to leave home and many thousands were displaced Monday.

Noting that Lebanon hosts more than 1.5 million Syrian and Palestinian refugees and finds itself in a severe economic crisis, he said international donors have cut their aid to the countries and that aid groups have had to reduce their relief to communities in great need.

"We urgently appeal for immediate de-escalation by all parties to the conflict and for an end to the indiscriminate attacks that destroy civilian homes and infrastructure," he added.

Warning that the targeting of civilians in southern and eastern Lebanon and northern Israel "escalates hostilities to a new and incredibly dangerous level," he highlighted that further escalation will drive violence and destruction at an immense scale and risk a full-scale regional conflict.

"It has never been more critical to agree on a ceasefire in Gaza, as well as for Lebanon and Israel, to spare civilians across the region from further suffering and loss," he said.

He also urged key powers to make every effort to get all sides to stop the relentless bloodshed.

At least 492 people, including 42 women and 35 children, were killed and more than 1,645 others injured in massive Israeli airstrikes targeting several areas in Lebanon since Monday morning, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that Israeli airstrikes has destroyed "thousands of missiles and rockets aimed at Israeli cities and Israeli citizens."

Tension has mounted between Hezbollah and Israel following a deadly airstrike on Friday that killed at least 45 people, including children and women, and injured dozens in Beirut’s southern suburb.

Hezbollah confirmed that at least 16 of its members, including senior leader Ibrahim Aqil and top commander Ahmed Wahbi, were killed in the Israeli attack.

The attack came two days after at least 37 people were killed and over 3,000 others injured in two waves of wireless communication device explosions across Lebanon.