Middle East Death Toll, Humanitarian Concerns Escalate

International outcry and protests demanding immediate cease-fire followed the highest death toll from a single Israeli strike on Sunday as requests for safe corridor for humanitarian aid remains unmet.

In the southern town of Qana, nearly 60 Lebanese civilians were killed on Sunday including at least 34 children and 12 women, reported The Associated Press. Hezbollah responded to the offense by firing 157 rockets into northern Israel on Sunday – the highest number in a one-day thus far in the 20 days of conflict.

Escalating civilian deaths has alarmed the world and especially aid agencies working to meet the needs of some of the 750,000 displaced Lebanese. Church World Service (CWS) is one such group concerned over the growing humanitarian crisis in Lebanon and urging safe passage needed to deliver humanitarian aid to affected populations.

“The U.N. has been asking for opening of humanitarian corridors,” said CWS Emergency Response Program Director Donna Derr in a statement released by the group on Friday. “But so far those corridors haven’t materialised and transport routes and communication in the damaged Lebanese regions are severely hindered.”