Beirut,July 27 (dpa/GNA) – UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, said on Monday that his office has documented large-scale violations of international humanitarian law by Israel in Lebanon, some of which may amount to war crimes.
Speaking at the end of an official visit to Lebanon, Türk said continued Israeli airstrikes, shelling and the use of explosive weapons in densely populated areas had caused extensive civilian casualties, widespread destruction and mass displacement.
He also said rockets fired by the Lebanese Hezbollah militia into populated areas in Israel had killed civilians and damaged civilian infrastructure. According to Lebanese authorities, more than 4,300 people have been killed and 12,200 injured in Lebanon since March 2 as a result of the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. These include more than 135 health care workers as well as journalists and media workers.
Türk said despite a cessation of hostilities announced on April 17 and subsequent negotiations aimed at de-escalating the conflict, Israeli military airstrikes and ground operations in Lebanon have continued. “My Office has recorded large-scale violations of international humanitarian law, some possibly amounting to war crimes,” Türk said, adding that under certain circumstances they could also constitute crimes under international law. He said entire villages south of the Litani River, which lies some 30 kilometres from the border with Israel had been destroyed or rendered uninhabitable.
Türk also expressed concern that Israeli forces continue to occupy significant Lebanese territory in the south, warning that the resulting large-scale displacement of civilians and denial of their return could amount to international crimes.
GNA