International response to Lebanon

One week after the upsurge in hostilities in Lebanon, the ICRC announced it is appealing to donor governments for £4.3 million (10 million Swiss francs) to assist people displaced by the violence.

More than 2,400 volunteers from the Lebanese Red Cross are working to help the hundreds of civilians that have been wounded.

The ICRC is expanding its current team of six expatriates to more than 20 and reinforcing its 15-member Lebanese team.

The ICRC has carried out a joint assessment mission with Magen David Adom in affected areas of northern Israel over the weekend and is helping it to provide medical and other humanitarian services.

“The first priority today is to ensure that the wounded and sick can be evacuated and that medical teams obtain access to the victims and can work safely,” said Pierre Krähenbühl, the ICRC’s director of operations.

“We have reminded the Israeli authorities of their obligation under international humanitarian law to respect and protect medical personnel and their means of transport. We now expect improved access and security for medical teams.”

Mr Krähenbühl added that “the high number of civilian casualties and the extent of damage to essential public infrastructure raise serious questions regarding respect for the principle of proportionality in the conduct of hostilities.”

International humanitarian law

Under international humanitarian law the current sea and air blockade imposed on Lebanon must not prevent foodstuffs and other essential supplies from reaching the civilian population.

Hezbollah has continued to fire rockets into cities in northern Israel, killing and injuring civilians. The ICRC director of operations emphasised that Hezbollah fighters are also bound by the rules of international humanitarian law and that they must not target civilian areas.

All across the country, large numbers of people are fleeing the conflict zones in dangerous circumstances. There has also been widespread destruction of public infrastructure.

Three British Red Cross delegates are in Cyprus as part of a Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) Rapid Deployment Team providing support to British evacuees.