UN High Commissioner Warns Israeli Attack on Lebanon May Constitute War Crimes

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, warned that Israel’s recent military actions in Lebanon could be classified as war crimes.

The statement was made during an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, called after a series of deadly explosions in Lebanon triggered by electronic devices.

“Inflicting terror on civilians through violence is a violation of international law and could be considered a war crime,” Turk told the council.

Lebanon’s Foreign Minister expressed concern over the attacks, stating, “After these communication device-triggered assaults, nowhere in the world feels safe anymore. We demand justice, not revenge.”

The Israeli delegate countered by defending Israel’s actions, declaring that Hezbollah’s continued assaults would not be tolerated. “Hezbollah must retreat beyond the Litani River, or we will employ every measure necessary to defend ourselves,” he warned.

The conflict has seen a surge in violence, with Hezbollah launching rockets into northern Israel following the bombings in Lebanon. Fires were reported in multiple areas as a result.

Recent Israeli cyberattacks, which included bombings via pagers and walkie-talkies, led to the deaths of 32 people in Lebanon and left hundreds injured.