Independent specialists cite possible crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing.
On Wednesday, about 20 independent experts from the United Nations warned that Israeli actions in Lebanon may constitute possible war crimes, crimes against humanity and acts of ethnic cleansing.
“We are witnessing the continuing utmost contempt for the international legal order, for diplomacy, and above all for the lives of civilians and the environment in Lebanon,” the independent experts said.
“Israel has chosen the very moment a ceasefire was announced — one that its Pakistani mediator stated included Lebanon — to unleash the largest coordinated wave of strikes on the country since 1980.”
In a joint statement, the U.N. experts said Israel is pursuing ethnic cleansing through the issuance of widespread evacuation orders and the destruction of homes.
“The deliberate destruction of homes is a weapon of war and a form of collective punishment, particularly in Shiite areas in the rural south of the country. It also points to ethnic cleansing.”
They also recalled that the forced displacement of civilian populations constitutes crimes against humanity and war crimes under international law.
“Since the cessation of hostilities between Lebanon and Israel on Nov. 27, 2024, Israel has repeatedly violated Lebanon’s sovereignty. In a 10-minute onslaught on April 8, 2026, Israeli forces struck more than 150 locations simultaneously across Lebanon, killing at least 303 people and wounding 1,150 others. Hundreds remain under the rubble.”
“Many strikes hit densely populated residential neighborhoods and commercial areas in central Beirut in violation of the principles of distinction and proportionality and the obligation to take all feasible precautions under customary international humanitarian law.”
“The strikes caused severe environmental damage by releasing toxic air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions, contaminating water systems, and destroying ecosystems through fires, debris and chemical residues.”
In light of these actions, the U.N. experts called on the United States to use its influence to ensure that Israel halts attacks against civilians and to push other states to suspend arms transfers to Israel.
The statement warning about the Israeli abuses Lebanon was signed by figures such as Francesca Albanese, special rapporteur for the Palestinian territories; Ben Saul, special rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights; and Paula Gaviria Betancur, special rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons.
teleSUR/ JF
Sources: OHCHR – EFE
0 Comentarios