The concrete wall that Israel is building extends into Lebanese territory in some places. Lebanon: UN calls for adherence to ceasefire agreement International Law
Almost a year after the ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel, there has been an increase in the number of attacks by the Israeli military, resulting in the death of civilians and the destruction of civilian objects in Lebanon. The representative of the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR), Tamin Al-Khitan, announced this at a briefing for journalists in Geneva on Tuesday.
Between November 27, 2024 and November 24 this year, Israeli strikes killed at least 127 civilians in Lebanon, he said.
An Israeli strike on the Palestinian refugee camp of Ain el-Hilweh in southern Lebanon last week killed at least 13 civilians residents, including 11 children, at least six people were injured.
“Prompt and impartial investigations into the strike on Ain el-Hilweh, as well as all other incidents related to possible violations of international humanitarian law by all parties to the conflict, both before and after the conclusion of the ceasefire agreement, are necessary. Those responsible must be brought to justice,” Al-Hitan said.
Israeli strikes in Lebanon have also destroyed and damaged civilian infrastructure, including homes, roads, factories and construction sites.
The attacks are hampering reconstruction efforts and making it difficult for internally displaced people to return to their homes in the south Lebanon.
More than 64 thousand people – mostly residents of the southern regions of Lebanon – are still unable to return and live in other regions of the country. Meanwhile, Israel has begun construction of a wall that in some places extends into Lebanon and prevents access to 4,000 square meters of land belonging to residents of the south.
“All internally displaced people must be able to return home, and reconstruction must be supported, not blocked,” he said Al-Hitan.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk stressed that the parties must immediately demonstrate their readiness to faithfully comply with the terms of the ceasefire. Only a permanent cessation of hostilities will protect civilians on both sides of the border from the devastating consequences of new outbreaks of violence, OHCHR emphasizes.