Jurist UN castigates massive wave of Israel strikes in Lebanon

[Dadparvar]

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk condemned on Wednesday the massive wave of Israeli military strikes across Lebanon that reportedly killed hundreds and injured thousands, including civilians.

Türk called the attacks “appalling,” stating:

The scale of the killing and destruction in Lebanon today is nothing short of horrific. Such carnage, within hours of agreeing to a ceasefire with Iran, defies belief. It places enormous pressure on a fragile peace, which is so desperately needed by civilians.

Israel said it carried out roughly 100 strikes across the country within 10 minutes. Lebanon’s Civil Defence reported that at least 254 people were killed and 1,165 were wounded. Journalist Malcolm Webb reported from Beirut that strikes took place where nobody expected them.

“It caused panic and chaos in the streets… People were shouting – many people injured, running through the streets trying to get to hospitals,” he said.

Israel said the ceasefire agreement “does not extend” to its war with the Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon. However, Pakistan, mediator of the agreement, has stressed that it does. Pakistan’s Foreign Office released a statement clarifying its position and understanding of the agreement, writing:

Pakistan condemns, in the strongest terms, the ongoing Israeli aggression against Lebanon, resulting in the loss of innocent lives and the widespread destruction of infrastructure. The Israeli actions undermine international efforts to establish peace and stability in the region and constitute a blatant violation of international law and fundamental humanitarian principles.

Türk similarly stressed legal principles which seek to protect civilians in armed conflict. The principle of distinction prohibits indiscriminate attacks, meaning those that strike both military targets and civilians without distinction. The principle proportionality prohibits attacks which may be expected to cause incidental loss of civilian life and other damages to civilian infrastructure which would be excessive in relation to the military advantage being sought. Finally, the requirement to take precautions in attack imposes obligations on states to take care to avoid or minimize incidental civilian losses.

“These principles are non-negotiable, and must always be respected, whatever the circumstances of armed conflict,” Türk said.

Israeli officials have indicated an intention to occupy or even annex parts of southern Lebanon. In March, Israel Defence Minister Israel Katz said the nation seeks to occupy southern Lebanon up to the Litani River to create a “defensive buffer.” This would amount to seizing nearly one-tenth of Lebanon’s territory. At the same time, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said Israel should annex southern Lebanon up to the river. Türk said these types of statements, and the scale of the recent attacks are “deeply troubling.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday instructed his cabinet to begin “direct negotiations” with Lebanon, with the priority of disarming Hezbollah.

Türk calls on the international community to act quickly, stressing that efforts to bring peace to the region cannot progress if the Lebanese people remain under the fear and displacement of these attacks. The UN recently called for protection of other populations facing severe impacts of the Iran war, including Palestinians.

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