UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi brought attention to the humanitarian crisis ongoing in Lebanon before the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) on Wednesday. Grandi alleged violations of international law including mass destruction caused by Israeli airstrikes that has resulted in the deaths of civilians and damage to civilian infrastructure.

Israel’s air strikes in Lebanon have killed 3000 people during its conflict with Lebanese extremist group Hezbollah. The attacks have allegedly violated international law, including the Geneva Convention, as civilians and civilian facilities continue to be targeted and border crossings between Syria and Lebanon are obstructed.

The Third Committee, which deals with social, humanitarian and cultural issues met to discuss a variety of issues including ongoing displacement and refugee crises around the world. Grandi noted that 470,000 people have fled to Syria since the conflict began, as levels of displacement reach historically high levels in 2024.

Grandi, who also highlighted the humanitarian crisis in Lebanon before the United Nations Security Council on October 23, stated that

“a desperately needed ceasefire does not materialize, and Israeli airstrikes continue. Resulting in huge loss of life. Civilian infrastructure — schools, hospitals, roads — destroyed. The humanitarian consequences are overwhelming, and require urgent international support. And yet the appeals for Lebanon and Syria remain critically underfunded. Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced.”

Israeli attacks have also recently killed journalists in Lebanon and Israel has been accused of war crimes for killing UN peacekeepers.

Despite repeated condemnation from international organizations and human rights groups, Israel has continued its attacks on Lebanon, as well the war in Gaza.