News / Lebanon

UNHCR confirms Israel killed 2 staff members in Lebanon

Tuesday, 24 September 2024 6:18 PM [ Last Update: Tuesday, 24 September 2024 6:18 PM ]

Smoke billows after an Israeli airstrike that targeted the southern Lebanese village of Abbasiyeh on September 24, 2024. (AFP)

The UN refugee agency has confirmed two of its employees were among the people killed in Israel’s bombardment of Lebanon.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the UNHCR said it was “outraged and deeply saddened” by the incident.

Dina Darwiche, from their Bekaa office in eastern Lebanon, died after the building she was residing in was hit by an Israeli missile on Monday.

“Her husband and one of her children were rescued and are being treated in hospital for serious injuries. Dina and her youngest son’s bodies were tragically recovered today,” the statement said.

It added that Ali Basma, who also worked in the UNHCR’s Tyre office in southern Lebanon, was confirmed dead on September 23.

“UNHCR is outraged by the killing of our colleagues, and we extend our deepest sympathies to their families and loved ones.”

Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon are now relentlessly claiming hundreds of civilian lives.

And I am very saddened to confirm that two UNHCR colleagues were also killed yesterday.

On behalf of all us at UNHCR, heartfelt condolences to their families, friends and colleagues.
— Filippo Grandi (@FilippoGrandi) September 24, 2024

The UNHCR head Filippo Grandi posted a message on X, extending his condolences over the killings. “Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon are now relentlessly claiming hundreds of civilian lives.”

“And I am very saddened to confirm that two UNHCR colleagues were also killed yesterday.”

غارة إسرائيلية على #الغبيري في #الضاحية_الجنوبية #لبنان #بيروت pic.twitter.com/4tzsW47MKq
— Ahmad El Hajj | أحمد الحاج (@AhmadElHajj007) September 24, 2024