By Merve Aydogan
HAMILTON, Canada (AA) - The UN on Tuesday hailed progress toward a cease-fire between Lebanon and Israel, urging both sides to seize the moment.
"We take note of reports about progress towards a possible cease-fire agreement between Lebanon and Israel. We reiterate that all efforts towards a diplomatic solution to the conflict are to be encouraged," deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said at a news conference.
Urging Israel and Lebanon "to seize this opportunity to take steps towards a more stable and secure future," Haq affirmed that the UN Interim Force In Lebanon (UNIFIL) and UN special envoy for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert "stand ready to support" the implementation of a possible agreement.
"We note, with serious concern, accounts of heavy bombing by the Israel Defense Forces in southern Lebanon and southern Beirut, with several fatalities reported," he said, adding that missile and drone attacks by Hezbollah also continue.
Citing the Office for the Coordination for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Haq said, "Beirut's southern suburbs experienced massive strikes just minutes after more than 20 displacement orders were issued."
"Also today, a densely populated area in central Beirut was targeted by airstrikes with no prior warning," he added, noting that the Israeli assault led to not only casualties but also further displacement.
He said that "as of the 24th of November, the International Organization for Migration recorded nearly 900,000 displaced people within Lebanon since October 2023."
Israel has escalated its airstrikes in Lebanon against what it claims are Hezbollah targets as part of year-long warfare against the Lebanese group since the start of the Gaza Strip’s war last year.
More than 3,760 people have been killed in Israeli attacks in Lebanon, with nearly 15,700 injured and over 1 million displaced since October 2023, according to Lebanese health authorities.
Israel expanded the conflict by launching a ground assault into southern Lebanon on Oct. 1.