UN Warns Israeli Attacks in Lebanon May Violate International Law

UN Report Finds Potential Violations of International Humanitarian Law in Israel-Lebanon Conflict

A United Nations report released on Friday has found that attacks by Hezbollah rocket fire into Israel and Israeli military operations in Lebanon may have breached international humanitarian law. The report, which focused on the first three weeks of the latest escalation between Israel and Hezbollah, began on March 2.

According to the report, more than 2,400 people have been killed in Lebanon since Israel launched its bombardment and subsequent invasion of southern Lebanon. Israeli forces have also seized a belt of territory at the border where their troops remain.

The UN Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has documented several cases in which Israeli strikes hit populated areas and residential buildings in Lebanon, resulting in civilian casualties. The report cited an example of an Israeli strike on March 8 that killed at least 13 civilians inside a multi-story residential building in Sir el-Gharbiyeh.

The UN also identified incidents where Israeli forces gave ineffective warnings or no warnings before strikes took place in Lebanon. Additionally, the report found that Hezbollah fired unguided rockets that damaged buildings and other civilian infrastructure in Israel, which may have violated international humanitarian law.

The OHCHR has also stated that attacks on journalists could amount to war crimes if they were deliberate. An Israeli air strike killed journalist Amal Khalil and wounded her colleague Zeinab Faraj in southern Lebanon. The Lebanese Prime Minister accused Israel of crimes against humanity in response.

A fragile ceasefire is currently in place, with US President Donald Trump announcing an extension for another three weeks.

Source: Al Jazeera