HIGH
Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari - Remarks to the Security Council on the situation in Lebanon (New York, 31 March 2026)
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HIGHThreat Assessment
The ASG's Security Council remarks describe a drastic deterioration in Lebanon with expanded Israeli and Hizbullah military operations, deeper IDF advances into Lebanese territory, heavy exchanges across the Blue Line, and large-scale civilian casualties and displacement. The statements by Israeli leaders about establishing a security/occupation zone up to the Litani River and reported infrastructure destruction indicate a shift toward sustained ground control operations that significantly raise regional escalation risk.
Summary
Country: Lebanon
Source: UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs
ASG Khiari details drastic deterioration in Lebanon, calls for cessation of hostilities
Mister President,
Amid the wider escalation across the Middle East, the situation in Lebanon continues to deteriorate drastically. Since the last emergency meeting of this Council on Lebanon on 11 March, and the closed consultations held on 17 March, Hizbullah and Israel have both expanded the scale and scope of their military operations, with heavy exchanges of fire across the Blue Line, strikes across Lebanon and intensified clashes amidst an increased deployment of Israel Defense Forces deeper inside Lebanon.
This is taking a devastating toll on civilians and civilian infrastructure, particularly in Lebanon.
As of 30 March, the Lebanese authorities report that over 1,240 people have been killed and 3,680 wounded. Over 1.1 million people have been displaced. The World Health Organization has also documented numerous attacks on healthcare since early March, resulting in deaths and injuries among medical personnel. The Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator will provide further details. Schools have been heavily affected, and three journalists were reportedly killed in a recent strike. Several bridges over the Litani River have been destroyed, which the IDF alleges were used by Hizbullah for transporting weapons and fighters..
In northern Israel, fatalities, destruction, displacement and widespread panic have returned.
Mister President,
On 29 March, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu announced, “the expansion of the security buffer zone in order to permanently neutralize the threat of invasion and to push anti-tank missile fire away from northern Israel”. This follows the 24th March announcement by Israeli Defense Minister Katz, declaring Israel’s intention to control a so-called “security zone” in southern Lebanon up to the Litani River, until the threat of Hizb
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Identified Entities
Countries & Regions
LebanonIsraelHizbullah (Hezbollah)Israel Defense Forces (IDF)United Nations (UN DPA, UN Security Council, UNIFIL)Khaled Khiari (ASG, UN DPPA)Benjamin Netanyahu (Israeli Prime Minister)Israel Katz (Israeli Defense Minister)World Health Organization (WHO)
Weapons & Military
anti-tank missilesair strikesartillery/indirect fireground forces/infantry operations
Threat Indicators
military action
nuclear threat
cyber warfare
terrorism
Key Phrases
"Confirmed large-scale civilian toll (1,240+ killed, 3,680 wounded) and massive displacement (>1.1 million) increasing humanitarian crisis and instability.""Israeli political and military declarations to control a security zone up to the Litani River signal intent for prolonged territorial control and possible occupation, raising escalation and entrenchment risks.""Expanded scope and depth of IDF ground advances into Lebanon increases chance of prolonged fighting, higher casualties, and cross-border confrontations with Hizbullah.""Damage to critical infrastructure (bridges, hospitals, schools) and attacks on healthcare undermine civilian protection and humanitarian access, compounding crisis and potential for wider regional spillover.""UN reporting and Security Council attention indicate international political pressure but also vulnerability of peacekeepers and international personnel in the theater."