New York, April 14 (QNA) - The United Nations called on Lebanon and the Israeli entity to leverage all available diplomatic avenues at their disposal to immediately end hostilities and address outstanding provisions of Security Council resolution 1701, at a time when negotiations between the Israeli entity and Lebanon are expected to take place on Tuesday.

In this context, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric affirmed, "We stand ready to work with the parties to facilitate efforts in this regard."

The UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, continues her good office’s role in support of the parties towards the full implementation of resolution 1701 towards a permanent ceasefire and long-term solution to the conflict. We call on all parties to engage constructively in this regard.  

On the peacekeeping front, the UN spokesperson said that the "UNIFIL continues its operations on the ground in support of deconfliction, protection of civilians and humanitarian access, to the extent possible amid ongoing hostilities."

"Peacekeepers continue to report rocket fire towards Israel and airstrikes in UNIFIL's area of operations, including around Shama, At Tiri, and Bint Jbeil in Sector West, where heavy clashes continue," he added.

 "On the humanitarian front, as high-intensity hostilities continue, as you can imagine humanitarian needs continue to deepen across the country and civilians continue to bear the brunt of the violence. Israeli military activity remains particularly intense in southern Lebanon and the western Bekaa governorate," he continued.

"As of yesterday, more than 2,000 people have been killed and over 6,500 injured, as casualties continue to rise, according to the Government," the spokesman said.

"Civilian infrastructure continues to be damaged. Our colleagues at UNICEF report at least 18 incidents affecting water systems across the country, damaging reservoirs, pumping stations and main supply lines, and disrupting people's access to safe water," Dujarric added. (QNA)

ng stations and main supply lines, and disrupting people's access to safe water," Dujarric added. (QNA)