Hunger in Lebanon could soar amid Israeli onslaught, UN expert warns

Michael Fakhri, special rapporteur on right to food, warns Israeli military attack risks repeat of starvation seen in Gaza

Hunger and malnutrition rates could rise exponentially" in Lebanon, if Israel follows through with threats to escalate the current military operation which has so far killed more than 2,000 and displaced as many as a million people, according to a leading UN expert.

Israel has the ability to starve Lebanon - like it has starved Palestinians in Gaza," said Michael Fakhri, the UN special rapporteur on the right to food. If you look at the geography of Lebanon, Israel has the power to absolutely put a stranglehold on the food system. There is a huge risk of hunger and malnutrition rates skyrocketing very quickly in Lebanon."