Israel, Hezbollah attacks could constitute violations of international law, according to UN

The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) announced Friday it has documented patterns of attacks targeting civilians in populated areas and residential buildings in Lebanon and Israel, which could constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law.

The report covers the first three weeks of the latest escalation, which began after Hezbollah launched attacks against Israel on March 2, prompting Tel Aviv to respond with a large-scale military offensive and an invasion of southern Lebanon.

Since then, nearly 2,500 people have been killed in Lebanon, according to Lebanese authorities, amid massive displacement and heavy damage to civilian infrastructure. U.S. President Donald Trump announced Thursday a three-week extension of the cease-fire. The Israeli army and Hezbollah did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment.

Residential buildings hit

The OHCHR has documented several cases where Israeli strikes have hit, and sometimes destroyed, multi-story residential buildings, killing entire families in Lebanon. These incidents could constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law, said spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan. The report specifically cites an Israeli strike on March 8 that hit a residential building in the city of Sir al-Gharbieh, in the Nabatieh district. The attack killed at least 13 civilians inside, including five women, five men, two boys and a girl.

The U.N. office considers that such incidents raise concerns regarding respect for the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution in attacks, under international humanitarian law. The report also says the OHCHR found that Hezbollah was firing unguided rockets, lacking the accuracy required to target specific military objectives, damaging buildings and civilian infrastructure in Israel, which likely constitutes a violation of international humanitarian law.

Journalists targeted

Additionally, the OHCHR recalled Friday that attacks against journalists may constitute war crimes if intentional. An Israeli strike Wednesday killed Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil and wounded photographer Zeinab Faraj, who was accompanying her in southern Lebanon.

Rescue teams, including the Lebanese Red Cross, were hindered by the Israeli army while attempting to reach the site, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. "This included the use of a stun grenade and live fire targeting an ambulance, delaying access to the site," added Kheetan.

The Israeli army said its air force struck a vehicle and a structure after two vehicles were identified as leaving a Hezbollah military site in southern Lebanon and crossing the "advanced defense line" imposed by Tel Aviv, which it considered an immediate threat. It said it received information that two journalists had been wounded, but claimed it did not prevent rescue teams from accessing the area. It added that it does not deliberately target journalists or medical teams and that the incident is under review.