OHCHR: 'Israel's' strikes on Lebanon violate ceasefire, risk peace
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A UN human rights expert strongly condemns"Israel's" continued strikes on Lebanon, warning they represent a systematic pattern of unlawful violence.
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French UN peacekeepers patrol the Lebanese border with occupied Palestine in the village of Kfar Kila, South Lebanon, Wednesday, Aug 20, 2025 (AP)
Morris Tidball-Binz, the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, criticized recent Israeli aggressions, including a deadly drone strike on the Ain al-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp in Saida that led to the martyrdom of at least 14 people, among them 12 children, on November 18, 2025.
The attack was the deadliest since the ceasefire agreement of November 2024.
An Israeli aggression targeted Ain al-Helweh refugee camp in #Sidon, South Lebanon, killing 13 people in a preliminary toll.
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) November 18, 2025
Ain al-Helweh is home to more than 54,000 registered refugees and thousands of Palestinians who joined them in recent years from Syria.#Lebanon… pic.twitter.com/54EBvn3p0O
"This is not an isolated event, but part of a disturbing trend of lethal operations by Israel in populated areas," Tidball-Binz stated, emphasizing that the repeated targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure constitutes war crimes and breaches the UN Charter.
Since the ceasefire took effect on November 27, 2024, Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health has documented 331 martyrs and at least 945 wounded due to Israeli strikes, highlighting the continued violence despite the truce.
UN peacekeepers under threat
The UN expert noted that "Israel" has carried out near-daily drone and air raids across southern Lebanon, forming a "broader pattern of unlawful killings" and clear violations of the ceasefire terms.
He also raised serious concerns about increasing threats to UN peacekeepers operating under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). On November 16, an Israeli Merkava tank fired shells near a UNIFIL patrol inside Lebanese territory. A similar incident occurred on October 26 when an Israeli drone dropped a grenade near peacekeepers near Kfar Kila, shortly before a tank fired in the same area.
"Deliberate attacks on UN personnel are considered war crimes under international humanitarian law," Tidball-Binz warned.
The United Nations Interim Force in #Lebanon (UNIFIL) confirmed that Israeli occupation forces opened fire on its peacekeepers this morning from a Merkava tank positioned on #Lebanese soil.
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) November 16, 2025
According to the statement, heavy machine gun rounds landed approximately five meters… pic.twitter.com/GcGfunvJKW
Calls for accountability, international action
He further criticized "Israel’s" ongoing occupation of five Lebanese locations and two so-called "buffer zones" in the south, which continue to block civilians from returning to their homes. These actions, he said, directly violate Lebanon's sovereignty and Security Council resolution 1701.
"These repeated attacks are hampering Lebanon’s ability to implement the ceasefire and restore peace and justice for its people," he added.
#AlMayadeen documents new Israeli separation wall building along the Blue Line, and a 1000m major breach of #Lebanese territory and sovereignty.#SouthLebanon pic.twitter.com/cJp34OrrQZ
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) November 11, 2025
Calling for accountability, Tidball-Binz urged "Israel" to cease all military operations in Lebanon and comply fully with international obligations and the terms of the ceasefire. He demanded thorough, independent investigations into all alleged unlawful killings, especially those occurring after the November 2024 ceasefire. Such investigations, he said, should follow the standards set by the Minnesota Protocol.
"Those who ordered, planned, or carried out illegal strikes must face justice. Victims and families deserve truth, accountability, and full reparations," he said.
In a statement on November 20, 2025, UNIFIL revealed that more than 7,500 Israeli air violations and 2,500 ground violations had taken place north of the Blue Line since the ceasefire was established. All incidents have been reported to the UN Security Council.
In a post on X, UNIFIL reported the documented series of "Israel's" breach of the ceasefire agreement in #Lebanon, detailing its occupation forces' air and ground violations in South Lebanon, specifically north of the Blue Line.
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) November 20, 2025
"Since last year’s cessation of hostilities… pic.twitter.com/JuFHw7Hua6
