Almost a year since the ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel was agreed, we continue to witness increasing attacks by the Israeli military resulting in the killing of civilians and destruction of civilian objects in Lebanon, coupled with alarming threats of a wider, intensified offensive.
The Israeli military's attacks have resulted in the killing of at least 127 civilians in Lebanon since the ceasefire agreement came into effect on 27 November 2024, and up until 24 November this year.
In one of the latest -- and deadliest -- attacks, at least 13 civilians, including 11 children, were killed and at least six civilians injured last week in an Israeli strike on the Ein El-Hilweh camp for Palestinian refugees, near Sidon. All the fatalities we have documented as a result of this strike were civilians, raising serious concerns that the Israeli military's attack may have violated international humanitarian law principles on the conduct of hostilities.
There must be prompt and impartial investigations into the Ein El-Hilweh strike, as well as all other incidents involving possible violations of international humanitarian law by all parties, both before and after the ceasefire. Those responsible must be brought to justice.
In addition to killing and injuring civilians, Israeli attacks in Lebanon have destroyed and damaged civilian infrastructure, including housing units, roads, factories and construction sites.
They have also severely hampered reconstruction efforts and attempts by internally displaced people to go back to their homes in southern Lebanon. For example, on 16 November, an Israeli strike hit a cement and asphalt factory in the town of Ansar, destroying dozens of concrete mixers, cranes and fuel tanks.
Over 64,000 people, mostly residents of southern Lebanon, remain displaced in other parts of the country. Israel started constructing a wall crossing into Lebanese territory that makes 4,000 square metres inaccessible to the population, thus affecting people's right to return to their lands.
All those internally displaced must be able to go back to their homes, and reconstruction should be supported, not hampered.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk says it is now urgent that the parties show their commitment to comply with the ceasefire in good faith. A genuine path towards a permanent cessation of hostilities is the only way to protect the human rights of civilians on both sides from the devastating effects of new hostilities. Accountability for violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law must be realised.
