A UN Human Rights report published today on deaths and displacement in Lebanon during the first three weeks of the recent escalation of hostilities, between Hezbollah and the Israeli military, documents the significant, ongoing impact on a wide range of human rights. These include the rights to life, health, education, food, housing, work, a safe environment, freedom of movement, and freedom of religion or belief.
Our analysis of the large-scale attacks, shelling and ground incursions found that operations by Israeli forces in Lebanon involved cases of direct attacks on civilians, including medical personnel. We also documented several incidents in which Israeli strikes hit, and in some cases levelled, multi-storey residential buildings, killing entire families. Such strikes may constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law. Similar incidents have continued beyond this period - even after the present ceasefire was announced.
Hezbollah fired reportedly unguided rockets into residential areas in Israel, damaging buildings and other civilian infrastructure. These strikes may also constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law.
In many of the Israeli attacks, no warnings, or no reasonably effective warnings, were given, preventing many civilians from evacuating safely. Israel's vaguely communicated blanket evacuation warnings and displacement orders - covering almost 14 per cent of Lebanon's territory - have led to the displacement of over a million people, according to the Lebanese authorities. Given the breadth and circumstances of these orders, they may amount to forced displacement, prohibited under international humanitarian law. Fifty-five localities in southern Lebanon, near the border with Israel, remain under such orders today. All displaced civilians who wish to return to their homes must be able to do so safely.
We have continued to document frequent deadly attacks on healthcare workers, particularly first responders, and on journalists. On Wednesday, an Israeli strike killed Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil in the south, and injured photographer Zeinab Faraj. Rescue teams, including the Lebanese Red Cross, attempting to reach them reportedly faced obstruction by the Israeli military. This included the use of a sound grenade and live fire targeting an ambulance, delaying access to the site.
Medical personnel, whether military or civilian, and other civilians, including journalists, are protected, under international humanitarian law. Deliberately targeting them would amount to a war crime.
Civilian objects, including health facilities, schools and religious sites have been entirely destroyed or severely damaged.
Israeli attacks have burned or contaminated farmland, and disrupted or destroyed livelihoods, undermining the rights to food, work and to a healthy environment. There have been reports that Israeli forces have used ammunition containing white phosphorus which has particularly incendiary effects.
We are concerned about rising communal tensions and discriminatory practices preventing displaced people from accessing housing and other essential services.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk calls for prompt, thorough, independent and impartial investigations into all incidents involving allegations of violations of international humanitarian law. Findings must be disclosed, and those responsible held to account.
The UN Human Rights Chief urges all States to cease the sale, transfer and diversion to any party of arms, munitions and other military equipment where there is a clear risk that they could be used to commit or facilitate the commission of serious violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law.
He also calls on all parties to ensure the ceasefire becomes a permanent cessation of hostilities and basis for a lasting peace.
To read the full report, click here
