UNHCR Beirut confirms two of its employees died in Israeli strikes

The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) said on Tuesday that two of its employees were killed in Israeli strikes in Lebanon.

UNHCR said it was "outraged and deeply saddened" by the killing of the two.

Dina Darwiche, from their Bekaa office in eastern Lebanon, died after the building she was residing in was hit by an Israeli missile on Monday, UNHCR said in a statement.

"Her husband and one of her children were rescued and are being treated in hospital for serious injuries. Dina and her youngest son’s bodies were tragically recovered today," the statement said.

It added that Ali Basma, who also has worked in UNHCR’s Tyre office in southern Lebanon was confirmed dead on Monday.

"UNHCR is outraged by the killing of our colleagues, and we extend our deepest sympathies to their families and loved ones," the statement said.

Lebanon's Health Ministry has said more than 550 people have been killed in the country since Monday, when Israel launched massive strikes against targets in south and eastern Lebanon as well as Beirut's southern suburbs.

The protection of civilians is a must, and we reiterate the UN secretary general’s call for urgent de-escalation, and calls on all parties to protect civilians, including aid workers, in line with obligations under international humanitarian law," the statement said.