U.N. Emergency Relief Chief: Devastation In Lebanon Is Horrific
Jacob Cherian - All Headline News Staff Writer Dubai, UAE (AHN) - A top official from the United Nations described the destruction inside Lebanon as a violation of humanitarian law as Israel continues its offensive against he Hezbollah. The U.N.'s emergency relief diplomat, Jan Egeland, said that the devastation caused by the Israeli bombardment in Beirut was "horrific." The envoy arrived in Beirut on Sunday and he toured the area, which had been hit the worst by Israeli attacks. Some of the apartments were still smoldering during his tour. Egeland said he was shocked to see that the air strikes had demolished buildings "block after block." He added, "It makes it a violation of humanitarian law." On Sunday, Hezbollah rockets killed two Israelis in the industrial city of Haifa. Approximately 15 people were injured on account of the strike. Egeland said the humanitarian supplies to Lebanon were on their way, but a safe passage" for their delivery was still not available. He re-iterated, "So far Israel is not giving us access." Analysts observe that even if such a passage were opened, the destruction of bridges and roads would not permit the relief materials to get to their intended destination. An Israeli radio station has warned residents to get out of 13 border villages, further increasing the mass evacuation from southern Lebanon. So far an estimated 42, 000 refugees have converged in Sidon.
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