The United Nations has strongly condemned airstrikes by the Israeli military across Lebanon on Wednesday which have resulted in significant casualties and destruction.
The attacks came within hours of the ceasefire announced between the United States and Iran following weeks of deadly hostilities that have disrupted lives, global trade and humanitarian operations in the Middle East and beyond.
"Today's wave of IDF strikes came just as hopes for an end to violence and destruction were rising," the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert tweeted.
"This cannot go on. Neither side can shoot or strike their way to victory."
Hospitals under strain
Israeli forces reported carrying out over 100 airstrikes in roughly 10 minutes, the top UN aid official in Lebanon, Imran Riza, said in a briefing to journalists in New York.
He described the scale of bombardment as "dramatic, saying "it's been enormous, the level of these strikes."
Although casualty figures were not yet available, he said it was believed that hundreds may have been killed and many others injured.
"The hospitals are overwhelmed, and of course, there's a huge, huge call out for blood donations throughout the country," he added.
An 'extremely critical' situation
Another senior UN official, Blerta Aliko, was speaking to UN News during a pre-arranged interview when shelling intensified in Beirut. She and other staff from the UN Development Programme ( UNDP ) left their offices and took shelter in the basement. When the interview resumed, the situation had "become extremely critical."
