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UN warns of escalating tensions on Lebanon-Israel border as Gaza sees major aid delivery

UNITED NATIONS: United Nations peacekeepers in Lebanon have reported a marked deterioration in the security situation along the Blue Line of separation, with Israeli forces intensifying their military attacks in violation of a landmark Security Council resolution, UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said Thursday.

Meanwhile, in war-devastated Gaza, humanitarian teams collected hundreds of pallets of aid – including infant food and school bags – as the World Health Organization (WHO) revealed that more than 13,000 patients have now been evacuated from the besieged enclave for urgent medical care.

Violence rose sharply in August, with the mission recording 56 projectiles from the Israeli military on 1 September alone, a figure that climbed to 84 the following day.

No projectile launches by Hezbollah fighters – who have continued to clash with Israeli forces in southern Lebanon despite a US-brokered ceasefire – have been detected since 21 June, Dujarric said.

Peacekeepers continue to record daily Israeli violations of Lebanese airspace, along with airstrikes, ground activity and naval operations.

Of particular concern, Dujarric said, is the “continued consolidation and fortification of Israeli positions” north of the Blue Line, including new infrastructure and engineering works.

Peacekeepers have also observed individuals who appear to be Israeli civilian personnel carrying out demolition work in support of military operations.

“There is extensive Israeli military presence north of the Blue Line, which constitutes a violation of Security Council resolution 1701 and of Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Dujarric said.

He reiterated the UN’s call “for the Israel Defense Forces to withdraw from all positions north of the Blue Line, and that will be in full accordance and respect with resolution 1701.”

Despite the tensions, UNIFIL continues its humanitarian coordination work, facilitating 20 humanitarian missions between Monday and Wednesday, 16 of them in the Mission’s western sector.

In Gaza, UN teams on Wednesday collected hundreds of pallets of supplies from the Kerem Shalom-Karem Abu Salem crossing, Dujarric said, including adult diapers, school bags and food for infants and young children.

Separately, WHO reported that it and its partners have supported the medical evacuation of more than 13,000 patients from Gaza since October 2023, including over 6,000 children.

WHO stressed, however, that thousands more still urgently need specialized treatment unavailable in the enclave, and called for the reopening of the West Bank referral pathway, including to hospitals in East Jerusalem.

The UN’s Special Coordinator and humanitarian chief in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Dr. Ramiz Alakbarov, concluded a three-day visit to Gaza on Thursday, including a visit to the Emirati Field Hospital in Rafah.

Throughout his visit, Alakbarov stressed that preparing for the rainy season and winter remains a top priority, requiring urgent donor support and the lifting of Israeli restrictions on equipment such as engine oil needed to run facilities including sewage treatment plants.

Ambulances and medical equipment remain among the items currently restricted from entering Gaza, Dujarric said, adding that these “must be urgently allowed in.”

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Health minister orders probe into Sindh MDCAT complaints

ISLAMABAD:Federal Minister for Health Syed Mustafa Kamal has taken notice of alleged irregularities in the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) held in Sindh and ordered a comprehensive inquiry into the complaints.

According to official sources, the minister directed a five-member committee, including the President of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), to conduct a transparent investigation and submit its report within 15 days.

The committee has been tasked with examining the complaints and reviewing the circumstances surrounding the alleged irregularities during the examination, sources said.

The minister directed the committee to complete the inquiry within the stipulated timeframe and present its findings for further action in accordance with the applicable rules.

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CDA chairman directs faster work on Expressway East project

ISLAMABAD: Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Sohail Ashraf has directed officials to accelerate work on the Islamabad Expressway Service Road East project while ensuring strict compliance with approved designs and construction standards.

During an inspection of the project on Saturday, the chairman reviewed progress and was briefed on ongoing works and the next phase of development.

He directed the project director and relevant departments to maintain continuous field monitoring and quality control and ensure effective traffic management to minimise inconvenience to commuters.

The chairman described the Expressway East project as an important infrastructure scheme for improving connectivity, traffic flow and road capacity in the capital. He also stressed that construction quality should not be compromised in efforts to meet the project timeline.

During the visit, he was also briefed on an ongoing enforcement operation against unauthorised and illegal construction along the Islamabad Expressway.

According to the CDA, 377 buildings have been identified for action, including 281 commercial structures. So far, 58 buildings have been sealed, while 124 buildings between Sohan and Khanna bridges have been marked for demolition.

The authority said Rs234.685 million had been recovered through land-use conversion, unauthorised construction and de-sealing charges. Around Rs3 billion remained recoverable under applicable regulations in connection with land-use conversion and violations relating to unauthorised construction, setbacks, floor area ratio and covered area.

The chairman directed the relevant departments to ensure strict enforcement of building-control and land-use regulations, particularly mandatory fire-safety requirements.

The enforcement operation is being conducted by the CDA’s Building Control Section and Enforcement Directorate in coordination with the district administration and Islamabad police.

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GB ministers call on Governor Kundi

PESHAWAR: Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi on Saturday held a meeting with a delegation of Gilgit-Baltistan ministers at the Governor’s House here and discussed the country’s political situation and other matters of mutual interest.

The delegation comprised Gilgit-Baltistan Minister for Local Government and Rural Development Zulfiqar Ali Murad, Minister for Health Iqbal Hassan and Minister for Education Aman Ali Ameer.

During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on the prevailing political situation in the country and various issues of mutual interest. They also discussed the recent elections in Gilgit-Baltistan and the Pakistan Peoples Party’s success in the polls.

The visiting ministers were taken on a tour of the Governor’s House. Governor Kundi presented them with traditional shawls and caps.