Security situation in Lebanon continues to deteriorate: UN

The security situation in Lebanon has continued to deteriorate, coupled with a deepening humanitarian crisis, a United Nations spokesman said at a daily press briefing in the UN headquarters in New York City on Friday.

Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for the Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said that peacekeepers of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) are in extremely dangerous conditions.

"Air strikes were also reported north of the Litani River and in Western Bekaa. Peacekeepers reported 377 firing incidents attributed to the Israel Defense Forces," said Haq.

"We reiterate our call on all to uphold the inviolability of United Nations premises and ensure the safety and security of UN personnel at all times. Yesterday, the movement of UNIFIL peacekeepers was obstructed twice by the Israel Defense Forces in Sector West. South-west of Al Bayyadah, a tank halted peacekeepers escorting the Lebanese Red Cross, pointing its main gun toward the convoy, and instructed them to leave the area," he said.

Haq pointed out that the humanitarian situation in Lebanon is also not optimistic.

Imran Riza, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator and Resident Coordinator for Lebanon, noted that since the announcement of the ceasefire on April 17, 15 attacks on healthcare have been recorded, resulting in the deaths of 12 healthcare workers and the injuries of 21 others.

As the evacuation order expanded, the number of displaced people in the southern provinces and the Bekaa Governorate of Lebanon soared. In the past 24 hours alone, more than 5,000 people in Tyre district were forced to flee.

The UN has once again urged all parties involved in the conflict to strictly abide by international humanitarian law, cease attacks on medical facilities and infrastructure, and immediately facilitate rapid and unimpeded humanitarian passage.

The Lebanese side stated on Friday that the two-day talks held by Lebanon, the United States and Israel in Washington had achieved "tangible diplomatic progress" in favor of Lebanon, and all parties have agreed to a 45-day extension of their ceasefire that took effect last month.

Despite the ceasefire, clashes between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon have continued. Israeli strikes killed at least 12 people on Friday.

A freight train and a bus collided in Bangkok, Thailand, on Saturday afternoon, killing at least eight people, local media reported.

At around 15:40, a train collided with a bus at a railway crossing in Ratchathewi District, triggering a fire accompanied by an explosion. Several other cars and motorcycles were also involved.

More than 20 people were injured, according to the Thai transport ministry, as rescuers rushed to the scene to put out the fire and carry out rescue operations.

Deputy Minister of Transport Siripong Angkasakulkiat said in an interview with Thai media that the bus had stopped at the railway crossing due to a red light, preventing the railway barrier from lowering. The freight train was too heavy to brake in time, leading to the collision.