A group of United Nations experts has issued a stern warning that military actions undertaken by Israel in Lebanon may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity. In a statement released on Wednesday, the experts highlighted disturbing parallels between current operations and those previously observed in Gaza, specifically noting the use of "immediate displacement orders." According to the experts, credible reports suggest that civilians have been forcibly displaced, tens of thousands are being prevented from returning to their homes, and additional Lebanese territory has been occupied.
The experts emphasized that evacuation is intended to be a strictly temporary measure used only to ensure civilian safety or for imperative military necessity, rather than a tool to depopulate and occupy regions. They asserted that displaced individuals maintain the right to return home voluntarily and safely once the conditions that necessitated their displacement have ended. Since March, an estimated 620,000 women and girls have been displaced, including approximately 16,000 pregnant women. Many of these women have reportedly been forced to give birth in unsafe, overcrowded conditions due to the destruction of essential maternity services and health facilities.
Further alarm was raised regarding allegations that white phosphorus munitions have been deployed over residential areas. The experts noted that such actions expose civilians to severe burns, respiratory issues, and long-term health risks. Since hostilities escalated on March 2, more than 4,300 people have reportedly been killed in Lebanon, including at least 392 women and 253 children, with over 12,000 others sustaining injuries.
The experts concluded that these actions, when viewed together, represent a violation of international humanitarian law, specifically failing to uphold the principles of distinction, proportionality, and the prohibition of indiscriminate attacks. They urged all parties to comply with international law, respect Lebanon’s sovereignty, and implement UN Security Council Resolution 1701 alongside the 2024 cessation of hostilities arrangement.
