News - Middle East: The United Nations rings the alarm about Israel’s killing of women and children in Lebanon, saying an independent investigation has to be launched into the regime’s Monday attack on a northern village, which killed at least 22 people.

An Israeli airstrike on the northern Lebanese village of Aito had leveled a four-story residential building.

“What we’re hearing is that among the 22 people who were killed were 12 women and two children,” said UN rights office spokesman Jeremy Laurence on Tuesday.

"With these factors in mind we have real concerns with respect to... the laws of war and the principles of distinction, proportion and proportionality.”

"Our office calls for a prompt, independent and thorough investigation into this incident,” Laurence said.

UN agencies warn of catastrophe

UNICEF and World Food Program (WFP) warned Tuesday of humanitarian catastrophe in Lebanon, where Israel’s hostilities have so far displaced hundreds of thousands of people.

The two UN agencies called for more fund to address "increasing" needs in the country.

"We are preparing for the reality that the needs are increasing,” they said. “We need additional funding, without conditionalities.”

The war has had “a significant impact on vulnerable communities,” they said.

Lebanon says 1.2 million people have been affected by Israel’s invasion of the country.

WFP said it was meeting the needs of approximately 200,000 people daily with ready-to-eat food and cash.

“Nearly 190,000 displaced individuals are currently sheltered in over 1,000 facilities, while hundreds of thousands more are seeking safety among family and friends.”

Hundreds of thousands have also crossed into Syria, it said.

And UNICEF —  the UN agency for children — said it is delivering essential support to children and families.

The agency has warned of a “lost generation” in Lebanon, saying 400,000 children have been displaced in the three weeks since Israel invaded the country on September 23.   

Source: Press TV