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Lebanon: ICRC calls on fighting parties to abide by rules of humanitarian law

Geneva / Beirut (ICRC) - The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is deeply concerned about the recent escalation of violence in Lebanon.

It has called on all parties involved in the fighting to abide by the rules of international humanitarian law, particularly that civilians not taking a direct part in the hostilities are to be protected against attack.

Medical personnel and humanitarian workers must be allowed to carry out their tasks and have unimpeded access to the wounded. Medical personnel, vehicles and facilities must be spared the consequences of the violence.

Since fighting first broke out on Sunday, 20 May, the ICRC, the Lebanese Red Cross and the Palestine Red Crescent Society have coordinated their efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to people inside and outside Nahr el-Bared refugee camp, near Tripoli, in northern Lebanon.

The Palestine Red Crescent Society has evacuated 27 people from the camp and handed them over to the Lebanese Red Cross for transfer to Safad Hospital in Bedawwi camp. The situation of the people in Nahr el-Bared camp has become increasingly precarious, prompting the Palestine Red Crescent Society to distribute milk, bread and medical supplies.

The Lebanese Red Cross has treated 60 wounded and sick and evacuated the remains of 32 people in the Tripoli area. It has also assisted civilian casualties of the two latest bombings in the Lebanese capital, Beirut.

For further information, please contact:

Vincent Lusser, ICRC Geneva, tel +41 22 730 24 26 or +41 79 217 32 64

Virginia de la Guardia, ICRC Beirut, tel +961 1 739 297/8/9 or +961 70 12 98 69