Geneva, Aug. 19 (SANA)The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) warned that the humanitarian impact of Israeli attacks on Lebanon is continuing, with security remaining fragile and hundreds of thousands of people still in need of assistance amid renewed displacement.

UNHCR spokesperson Babar Baloch told a press conference Tuesday that around 860,000 people had returned to their areas, while about 360,000 remained displaced, including 22,000 in collective shelters.

“Despite the announcement of a ceasefire, recent Israeli airstrikes in the south have caused a new wave of displacement, with hundreds of families fleeing north in search of safety,” Baloch said, according to the UN News Centre.

Baloch said many families remained unable to return because of insecurity, rubble and extensive damage to homes and infrastructure, including water and electricity networks, schools, health facilities and agricultural land.

More than 700,000 people have been affected by damage to water infrastructure in parts of southern Lebanon, he added, stressing that returning home does not mark the end of humanitarian needs.

The approaching school year is placing additional pressure on displaced families as collective shelters, many of which are located in public schools, are gradually being consolidated, Baloch said.

Lebanon and Israel reached a framework agreement on June 26 providing for the disarmament of armed groups, a gradual Israeli withdrawal from areas entered in southern Lebanon and the deployment of the Lebanese army, beginning in two pilot areas. Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon have continued despite the agreement.F.J./ABD