LEILA FADEL, HOST:
An Israeli-Lebanese ceasefire is officially in place, but fighting between Israel and the militant group Hezbollah has significantly escalated in Southern Lebanon. The United Nations says this week saw the most intense attacks since the truce went into effect in mid-April. NPR's Jane Arraf has more from Beirut.
JANE ARRAF, BYLINE: It's called a ceasefire, but it doesn't look like one. Israel originally declared a buffer zone in south Lebanon, leveling homes and driving out residents in what it says are attacks on Iran-backed Hezbollah. Recently, the Israeli military has been striking villages beyond that zone, and fighting with the militant group has intensified. Here's U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric in New York Tuesday.
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STEPHANE DUJARRIC: Our peacekeeping mission in Southern Lebanon reported that yesterday saw the highest number of exchanges of fire between the Israeli Defense Forces and armed groups, including Hezbollah.
ARRAF: That number? According to U.N. peacekeepers, 619 attacks by Israeli forces into Lebanon and 30 Hezbollah attacks targeting Israel, the highest since the April 16 ceasefire. The attacks have forced more than 1 million Lebanese from their homes since March, according to the U.N., many with little prospect of returning as Israel levels entire neighborhoods in both Muslim and Christian towns. Israel says it's destroying Hezbollah infrastructure, but does not provide proof. It says it's targeting Hezbollah fighters. But Lebanon's Health Ministry says at least 270 women, 170 children and more than 100 medics are among at least 2,600 people killed in Israeli attacks since the fighting began two months ago. And people are going hungry, according to Dujarric, the U.N. spokesperson.
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DUJARRIC: The humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate, with nearly a quarter of the population in Lebanon now facing acute food insecurity.
ARRAF: Hezbollah has been seen by many as safeguarding Lebanon's sovereignty, but it doesn't answer to the Lebanese government. Lebanon has been exploring negotiations with Israel. Hezbollah, though, and many but not all Lebanese say that Lebanon shouldn't negotiate while under attack.
Jane Arraf, NPR News, Beirut.
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