UN Alleges Israel Committed War Crimes in Lebanon

Israel has issued updated forced evacuation orders for much of southern Lebanon, covering approximately 14 per cent of Lebanese territory north of the Litani River.

At least 886 people have been killed since 2 March, including one Lebanese soldier who died from his wounds and four others injured in Israeli artillery strikes.

Israel stated that it is not targeting Lebanese military forces, as its conflict is with Hizbullah rather than the Lebanese Armed Forces. However, Israel maintains that Lebanon constitutes an active combat zone, and therefore such casualties are expected.

The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has stated that the killing of healthcare workers and airstrikes targeting refugees may constitute war crimes under international law. The office cited several examples, including an overnight airstrike on 12 March on the Beirut coastline that killed 12 people who had set up camp there after fleeing other parts of Beirut.

Lebanon’s Ministry of Health Emergency Operations Centre reported one death and nine others injured in an Israeli airstrike on Beirut Airport Road, according to the National News Agency.

Israeli airstrikes have struck multiple locations across Lebanon, including southern Beirut and southern and eastern Lebanese regions. Over one million people have been reported displaced in the past two weeks.

Israel is considering mobilising 450,000 reserve troops to respond to the escalating conflict with Lebanon, including options for ground operations. Rocket attacks have struck Israel, with eight people reported injured in strikes launched by Hizbullah from Lebanon and by Iran.