Special rapporteurs say Israeli military actions constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity.
On Wednesday, six United Nations special rapporteurs denounced Israel’s intensification of hostilities in Lebanon, where Zionist forces have killed more than 4,300 people and wounded 12,000.
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Since the start of its offensive on March 2, Israel has engaged in systematic and widespread violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law, conduct that has resulted in civilians bearing a devastating and disproportionate toll.
“Israel’s issuance of immediate ‘displacement orders’ is reminiscent of those used by Israel in Gaza against the civilian population,” the U.N. experts said, adding that forced displacement caused by the violence has created dramatic situations.
Civilians have been forcibly displaced and tens of thousands prevented from returning to their homes in parts of southern Lebanon, as residential areas are demolished, dozens of towns and villages remain inaccessible, and additional Lebanese territory is occupied by Israel.
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“Evacuation is an exceptional and strictly temporary measure. It may only be used to protect the safety of civilians or for imperative military reasons, not to depopulate and occupy areas. Civilians have the right to return voluntarily and safely to their homes once the circumstances justifying their displacement have ceased,” the UN experts said.
Over the past four months, 620,000 women and girls have been displaced, including about 16,000 pregnant women, many of whom reportedly gave birth in overcrowded and unsafe conditions without appropriate maternity care.
All of this has occurred while Israeli forces continue destroying health facilities and targeting medical personnel, which has led to the closure of maternity services and the disruption of essential services.
“Forced displacement has exposed women and girls to heightened risks of violence and abuse, while the destruction of health care services has deprived many of essential reproductive and maternal health care. International human rights law requires these rights to be protected, including during armed conflict,” the UN special rapporteurs stated.
From March 2 to July 17, more than 4,300 people have been killed by Israel in Lebanon, including at least 392 women and 253 children, in attacks on residential buildings that killed entire families and targeted health workers. More than 12,000 people have been injured during the same period, including more than 1,450 women and 1,036 children.
Israel denied a UNIFIL-cleared humanitarian and media convoy access to its occupied zone in southern Lebanon on Monday.
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The UN experts expressed alarm over allegations that prohibited white phosphorus munitions fired by artillery were used over residential areas, exposing civilians to severe burns, respiratory injuries and potentially long-term health risks.
“Parties to a conflict are required to take all feasible precautions in the choice of means and methods of warfare and in the conduct of attacks to avoid, and in any event minimize, incidental civilian harm,” they said, noting what they described as Israel’s deliberate disregard for the specific needs and protections owed to civilians in times of conflict.
“Taken together, Israel’s military actions constitute a violation of international humanitarian law and its principles of distinction, proportionality and precautions in attack, as well as the prohibition on indiscriminate attacks, and may also amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity,” the UN experts said.
They also expressed serious alarm over reported public statements by senior Israeli officials specifically targeting Lebanese women, particularly mothers. “Rhetoric that dehumanizes women on the basis of being Lebanese and female, legitimizes collective punishment or incites violence is particularly dangerous, illegal and unacceptable.”
UN special rapporteurs called on Israel to fully comply with international law, implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 and the 2024 cessation of hostilities arrangement, and respect Lebanon’s sovereignty.
The statement was signed by the special rapporteurs on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order, George Katrougalos; violence against women and girls, Reem Alsalem; extrajudicial, summary, or arbitrary executions, Morris Tidball-Binz; the right to adequate housing, Koldo Casla; the human rights of internally displaced persons, Paula Gaviria; and the promotion and protection of human rights while countering terrorism, Ben Saul.
teleSUR/ JF
Sources: EFE – OHCHR
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