UNITED NATIONS, United States, Oct 10, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - United Nations officials warned Wednesday that Lebanon was staring down a "catastrophic" humanitarian crisis as the number of internally displaced people hit 600,000 and Israel presses its offensive against Hezbollah.

Hezbollah said its fighters were locked in clashes with Israeli troops in southern Lebanon, using rocket-propelled weapons to repel Israeli attempts to breach the border.

"Lebanon finds itself facing a conflict and a humanitarian crisis of catastrophic proportions," Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, told a briefing.

She expressed "hope that Israel too will now be ready to add its support to the many calls and appeals that are out there" for de-escalation.

But as fighting raged, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu doubled down, warning Lebanon could face "a long war... like we see in Gaza."

Israel has intensified air strikes on Hezbollah strongholds in Lebanon since September 23, leaving more than 1,190 people dead and forcing more than a million to flee, according to an AFP tally of official figures.

The UN's humanitarian coordinator for Lebanon Imran Riza said that Lebanon was facing "one of the deadliest periods" in its recent history, reporting that 600,000 people are internally displaced -- over 350,000 of whom are children.

"Even wars have rules," he said.

Israel has refused to rule out strikes on Beirut's civilian airport and its access roads, even as thousands of people continue to flee the country by air and road every day.

"We are not targeting civilians. But at the same time, if we will find Hezbollah activities or intention to launch rockets into Israel, we will do what any other country would do about it," said Israel's ambassador to the UN Danny Danon.

Israel's ground forces crossed into Lebanon on September 30 in response to Hezbollah rocket and artillery attacks over the past year that have forced tens of thousands of Israelis out of their homes in border areas.