UN Demands Urgent Probe into Israeli Strikes in Lebanon Amid Civilian Deaths & Escalating Tensions

UN Demands Urgent Probe into Israeli Strikes on Lebanon Amid Civilian Casualties

The United Nations human rights office has issued a strong call for a "prompt and impartial" investigation into Israeli military strikes in Lebanon, expressing grave concerns over potential violations of international humanitarian law. This urgent plea comes nearly a year after a ceasefire was established, yet hostilities continue to plague the region.

Civilian Deaths and International Law Concerns

Thameen Al-Kheetan, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, specifically highlighted a devastating attack last week on the Ein el-Hilweh refugee camp, located near Sidon in southern Lebanon. The strike tragically claimed the lives of 13 civilians, including 11 children, underscoring the severe human cost of the ongoing conflict. Al-Kheetan stated that all victims in the Ein el-Hilweh incident were civilians, raising serious questions about whether the Israeli military adhered to the principles governing the conduct of hostilities under international humanitarian law.

Since the ceasefire agreement on November 27, 2024, UN figures indicate that Israeli operations have resulted in over 300 deaths in Lebanon, with approximately 127 of those being civilians. Despite the ceasefire, Israeli forces remain present in five southern Lebanese areas and conduct near-daily air raids, which Israel claims target Hezbollah fighters and infrastructure. However, these operations have had a broader impact, with Al-Kheetan noting attacks on homes, roads, factories, and construction sites, significantly hindering vital reconstruction efforts and preventing displaced families from returning.

Infrastructure Damage and Displacement

An example of such damage cited was a November 16 strike on a cement and asphalt factory in Ansar, which obliterated numerous concrete mixers, cranes, and fuel tanks. The ongoing instability and destruction have forced more than 64,000 people, predominantly from southern Lebanon, to remain displaced. Adding to the concerns, Al-Kheetan reported that Israel has begun constructing a wall encroaching on Lebanese territory, rendering 4,000 square metres (43,055 sq feet) inaccessible and undermining the right of return for displaced individuals.

Escalation in Beirut and Regional Context

This call for investigation coincides with a significant escalation of tensions, following an Israeli strike in Beirut on Sunday. The attack in Dahiyeh reportedly killed Haytham Ali Tabtabai, a senior Hezbollah commander, along with four other individuals, and injured 28. Experts view this as a major escalation, marking the first time Lebanon’s capital has been hit in months. This comes days after Lebanon's president announced an agreement to hold talks, prompted by pressure from Israel and the United States, aimed at disarming Hezbollah.

Hezbollah had been considerably weakened after an Israeli escalation in September 2024 that resulted in the death of its long-time leader, Hassan Nasrallah, and other senior officials. Since the November ceasefire, the group has responded to Israeli attacks only once. Al-Kheetan has urged all parties to uphold the ceasefire "in good faith," emphasizing that a genuine path towards a permanent cessation of hostilities is the only way to safeguard civilians from future devastation. He stressed the imperative of achieving accountability for all violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

Broader Regional Conflict

In a broader regional context, Israel continues its war against the Palestinian people in Gaza, despite a US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Over 300 people have reportedly been killed in Gaza since that truce took effect in early October, contributing to the staggering death toll of at least 69,733 since October 2023. Hezbollah initiated rocket fire into Israel on October 8, 2023, in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, triggering more than a year of escalating cross-border hostilities with Israel.