2 UNHCR workers killed by Israeli airstrike in Lebanon

Two UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) workers were killed in Lebanon following an Israeli missile strike, UNHCR confirmed on Tuesday, reported Xinhua.

According to a statement published on the official website of UNHCR's Lebanon office, the two victims have been identified as Dina Darwiche and Ali Basma.

Dina Darwiche, a 12-year veteran of UNHCR's Bekaa office, was killed along with her youngest son when their home was hit by an Israeli missile on Monday. Her husband and eldest child were rescued and are currently receiving treatment in the hospital for serious injuries.

In a separate incident, Ali Basma, who had worked for the UNHCR's Tyre office for seven years, was confirmed dead on Monday. He had been hired through a UNHCR-contracted cleaning service and was considered part of the Tyre office team.

The death toll from intensive Israeli airstrikes on southern and eastern Lebanon since Monday reached 558, including 50 children and 94 women, with injuries reaching 1,835, Lebanese Health Minister Firas Abiad said on Tuesday.

UNHCR expressed its outrage over the deaths, offering condolences to the families of both staff members.

"The protection of civilians is a must, and we reiterate the Secretary-General's call for urgent de-escalation, and calls on all parties to protect civilians, including aid workers, in line with obligations under international humanitarian law," said the UN Refugee Agency.