UN slams Israeli violations in Lebanon, urges allies to end complicity
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UN experts have condemned the Israeli aggression on Lebanon, stressing that its current assault could be tantamount to war crimes and international law violations.
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A man runs for cover as smoke rises in the background following an Israeli airstrike in Dahyeh, Beirut, Lebanon, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. (AP)
United Nations experts expressed their "sharp condemnation" of "Israel's" violations of international law in Lebanon, cautioning that the continued assault would only warrant more death and displacement in the country.
"The number of internally displaced persons in Lebanon has more than tripled in less than a month due to Israel’s relentless attacks on populated areas coupled with belated or ineffective evacuation orders, in violation of the principles of distinction and proportionality," a statement issued by the experts read.
It further added that the most recent Israeli violation of international law came amid the ground invasion of Lebanon and its sovereignty, which breaches UN Security Council resolution 1701, warning that this would only exacerbate the Lebanese plight, mounting the death toll and displacement rates.
They also cautioned that Lebanon, which had already been facing social and economic instability and accommodating millions of refugees prior to the ongoing war, might struggle to manage the crisis if its institutions sustain further damage.
According to the experts, although the humanitarian response has been admirable, "Israel" has hindered relief efforts by targeting essential civilian infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, water systems, and healthcare facilities, as well as directly attacking health and humanitarian workers.
"These are clear violations of the international obligation to respect and protect relief personnel that risk collapsing the system to protect and assist displaced person."
A fraction of the million displaced Lebanese citizens was recorded in the Israeli occupation as Hezbollah continues to target only military sites. While the occupation continues to terrorize Lebanon, claiming this would allow the return of settlers to the north, the UN experts said "Israel" cannot use its rate of internal displacement to carry out "atrocities in Lebanon, including acts of violence intended to spread terror among civilians and indiscriminate warfare."
Moreover, the statement condemned the ongoing assault on the most basic safeguards for civilian protection, calling on the occupation's allies to end their complicity.
"Maintaining international peace and security requires the international community and Israel’s allies in particular to act now to halt further military incursions, ensure the unconditional protection of all civilians, accountability for violations of international law, and an immediate and unconditional ceasefire as the only path forward for Lebanon and the region," they concluded.
Lebanon's caretaker Minister of Health, Firass Abiad, announced on Thursday that the death toll of the Israeli aggression on Lebanon since October 8 has risen to 1,974, including 127 children and 261 women, with an additional 9,384 people injured, marking a preliminary figure amid the ongoing Israeli aggression.
Read more: 'Israel' paying heavy price for its widening aggression: CNN
