Beirut – Israel's large-scale military escalation in Lebanon, coupled with the forced displacement of hundreds of thousands of civilians and the systematic destruction of villages, towns, and civilian objects, is deeply alarming. These developments raise serious concerns about efforts to impose new geographic and security realities by force, in violation of international humanitarian law and international human rights law. They require urgent international action to halt the attacks and ensure accountability for those responsible.
Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor is alarmed by the dangerous developments in Lebanon as the Israeli army expands its ground operations north of the Litani River and intensifies its aerial and artillery bombardment of Tyre, Nabatieh, Sidon, and dozens of villages and towns across southern Lebanon. These attacks have caused additional civilian casualties in recent days and forced new waves of displacement northward under severe humanitarian conditions.
The Israeli attacks on Lebanon since 2 March 2026 have killed approximately 3,380 people and injured more than 10,150 others, according to official figures. More than one million people have been displaced, with a new wave of displacement observed on Monday morning from Beirut's southern suburbs after Israel announced plans to resume airstrikes in the region.
The Israeli military's push into Lebanese territory seems to go beyond just temporary tactical advantages. Instead, it seems to be part of a systematic effort to establish a long-term military presence and exert control,
The expansion of ground operations coincided with direct orders issued on Monday by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz to resume airstrikes on Beirut's southern suburbs, citing alleged ceasefire violations.
The targeting of a densely populated civilian area that has already suffered extensive destruction reflects a recurring pattern of excessive and indiscriminate use of force. It constitutes a further violation of the principles of distinction and proportionality, which prohibit attacks on civilians and civilian objects, as well as attacks that are expected to cause excessive civilian harm relative to the anticipated concrete and direct military advantage.
In light of the Israeli government's strategy, the military's push into Lebanese territory seems to go beyond just temporary tactical advantages. Instead, it seems to be part of a systematic effort to establish a long-term military presence and exert control, while imposing new realities on the ground. This includes creating buffer zones that undermine Lebanese sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Israeli authorities' security justifications do not constitute a lawful basis for occupying the territory of another state or for imposing effective military control over it. International law, including the United Nations Charter and the principles of international humanitarian law, prohibits the use of force in ways that undermine the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, except in limited circumstances.
Ongoing military actions that cause extensive damage to civilian objects, target infrastructure, and forcibly displace civilians generally breach international humanitarian law. This includes violations of the principles of distinction, proportionality, and military necessity, and, depending on the specific circumstances, may constitute international crimes that can lead to individual criminal liability.
Alongside the expansion of ground operations, Israeli forces issued new and comprehensive evacuation orders extending as far north as the Zahrani River, forcing hundreds of thousands of civilians to leave their homes and villages without safe humanitarian corridors or guarantees of adequate shelters capable of meeting their basic needs.
Israel is using evacuation orders during intense bombardment and in the absence of safe routes and adequate shelters as a tool to compel civilians to leave rather than as a precautionary measure intended to protect them. The issuance of such orders under these circumstances raises serious concerns that Israel may be committing acts amounting to prohibited forced displacement under international humanitarian law and potentially war crimes or crimes against humanity if carried out as part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against civilians.
Providing prior notice of airstrikes does not grant Israeli forces unrestricted permission to bombard areas, nor does it eliminate legal protections for civilians who cannot evacuate, opt to stay, or lack access to safe zones. Similarly, the claimed presence of military targets in populated areas does not justify indiscriminate or disproportionate attacks, nor the use of weapons with wide-area effects in densely populated civilian environments.
The ground incursions and evacuation orders have been part of a widespread campaign of destruction targeting Lebanese border villages and towns. Israeli forces have used explosives and land clearing to level residential areas, infrastructure, and key facilities, significantly changing the landscape and making these areas uninhabitable. This appears to be a punitive strategy designed to prevent civilians from returning, impacting their ability to restore or maintain their livelihoods, social stability, and means of survival.
The expansion of military operations and resulting internal displacement are severely worsening Lebanon's humanitarian crisis. Hundreds of thousands of newly displaced individuals face extremely poor living conditions that violate basic human dignity, as essential services collapse and state institutions and humanitarian groups struggle to meet needs related to food, health, and shelter. Vulnerable groups such as children, women, and the elderly are most affected by these ongoing violations, which threaten their economic and social rights and deepen a sense of ongoing instability and fear.
Israel's ongoing violations and attempts to shape facts on the ground through military force are closely linked to the persistent dysfunction of the international justice system. This dysfunction, especially within the United Nations Security Council, is caused by political gridlock and the veto power, which hinder the international community from implementing effective and binding enforcement measures.
The global tendency to issue statements of concern and condemnation as mere platitudes, without implementing practical deterrent measures or accountability mechanisms, fosters a culture of systemic impunity. This approach weakens the effectiveness of international law in safeguarding civilians and preventing further serious violations.
The ongoing political and military support provided by certain states to Israel, along with material aid that could be used in committed violations, raises significant concerns under international responsibility rules. This includes the principle that forbids assisting or aiding in internationally wrongful acts. Such actions can lead to indirect international responsibility based on customary international law and help perpetuate violations and impunity.
The international community must exert all diplomatic, political, and legal efforts to pressure Israel to stop its military actions in Lebanese territory. Israel must withdraw fully and unconditionally from all occupied areas and adhere strictly to its international humanitarian and human rights law obligations, as well as stop all forms of widespread or systematic destruction of civilian objects and infrastructure. Additionally, military operations must strictly follow the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution, while ensuring civilians are effectively protected.
It is crucial to support the safe, voluntary, and dignified return of civilians to their homes. Ensuring the conditions for reconstruction align with international law and are free from arbitrary restrictions or conditions is equally important.
The United Nations and the international community must move beyond mere words and implement practical, effective actions to halt the ongoing military assault. This includes utilising political, diplomatic, and economic pressure tools available through international law, and enacting targeted measures against Israeli officials responsible for ordering forced displacements, attacks on civilians, and destruction of critical infrastructure.
A complete ban on the transfer or export of arms and ammunition to Israel must be enforced, especially when there's a risk that these weapons could be used to commit serious violations of international humanitarian law, aligning with states' obligations to prevent contributing to internationally wrongful acts. Euro-Med Monitor urges action to strengthen the humanitarian response and to provide adequate funding for emergency relief plans, ensuring that the essential needs of displaced persons are met and that their means of survival are protected amid the sharp deterioration of humanitarian conditions in Lebanon.
The international community should activate universal jurisdiction to prevent perpetrators of serious violations in Lebanon from enjoying impunity. Euro-Med Monitor urges the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court and independent UN bodies to promptly monitor and document crimes in Lebanon, such as forced displacement, indiscriminate or disproportionate attacks, unjustified property destruction, and the establishment of long-term military realities. They must also identify individual criminal responsibility to lay the groundwork for a justice process that provides redress for victims and addresses the breakdown of international accountability amid serious Israeli violations.
