Photo UN/M. Garten UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk. Volker Türk following his visit to Lebanon: the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has resulted in dire consequences for the civilian population International Law
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk completed his official visit to Lebanon. At a press conference in Beirut, he noted that due to the situation around the United States, Israel and Iran, Lebanon was again drawn into the escalation of the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, which led to devastating consequences for the population.
According to local authorities, since March 2, more than 4,300 people have been killed and over 12,200 injured in Lebanon, including more than 135 medical workers and many journalists among the dead.
Despite the April 17 ceasefire and negotiations, Israeli airstrikes and ground operations in Lebanon continue to kill civilians. Hezbollah’s strikes on Israeli populated areas also cause civilian casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure.
“The [Human Rights] Office has documented widespread violations of international humanitarian law, some of which may amount to war crimes,” Turk said.
Po He says entire villages south of the Litani River have been destroyed, and schools, hospitals and infrastructure destroyed. The mandate of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) ends this year, Turk noted and expressed concern about the protection of civilians in the south of the country.
He also recalled that the UN Human Rights Office sent an independent assessment mission to Lebanon, the creation of which was announced in June. It is already on the ground collecting evidence of human rights and humanitarian law violations since March 2, 2026. Türk also noted the active participation of civil society in documenting violations.
During his visit, the High Commissioner held meetings with the President, Prime Minister and other senior officials, as well as representatives of civil society. He called for the rights of refugees, migrants, LGBTIQ+ people and people with disabilities to be protected, noting the difficulty of evacuating the latter during combat. punishment.
Turk concluded by emphasizing that rebuilding the country requires renewing the social contract and strengthening the bond between the state and all citizens.
“The social contract will need to be rebuilt so that the dignity and rights of all Lebanese communities are respected, and so that the state can protect their rights and provide the services, safety and security they need,” said Turk.