Amnesty International has reported that four Israeli airstrikes killed at least 49 civilians in Lebanon, highlighting potential violations of international humanitarian law that could amount to war crimes. The organization has called for an independent international investigation into these incidents, which targeted residential areas and civilian buildings without prior warnings.
In its report titled “The sky rained missiles: Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon must be investigated as war crimes”, Amnesty International documented attacks in Al-Ain village in northern Bekaa on September 29, Aitou village in northern Lebanon on October 14, Baalbek city on October 21, and the municipal headquarters in Nabatieh on October 16.
Families Decimated in Their Homes
On September 29, an Israeli strike on the outskirts of Al-Ain destroyed the home of the Al-Shaar family, killing all nine members inside, including children. The sole survivor, Ibrahim Al-Shaar, who was not at home during the attack, expressed his shock and confusion about why their house was targeted.
In another attack on October 21, Israeli forces struck the Al-Nabi Inaam neighborhood in Baalbek, killing six members of the Othman family, including four children, and injuring seven others. Fatima Drai, who lost her two young sons, recounted the horrific moment: “I went to pray, and then everything around me exploded. A gas canister burst, burning my feet and engulfing my children’s room.”
23 Civilians Killed in Northern Lebanon
An Israeli airstrike on October 14 in Aitou village destroyed a building housing 23 civilians displaced from southern Lebanon, including a five-month-old baby. Amnesty International found no evidence of military targets in the area and stated that even if a Hezbollah affiliate was present, the indiscriminate nature of the attack makes it a likely war crime.
Municipal Headquarters Targeted in Nabatieh
On October 16, an Israeli airstrike hit the municipal headquarters in Nabatieh, killing 11 civilians, including the mayor. The attack occurred as the municipality’s crisis unit was meeting to coordinate humanitarian aid. Amnesty International found no evidence of military targets in the building.
Calls for Accountability
“These attacks are emblematic of Israel’s shocking disregard for civilian lives in Lebanon and its blatant violation of international law,” said Erika Guevara Rosas, Amnesty International’s Senior Director for Research, Advocacy, Policy, and Campaigns.
Amnesty International has urged the Lebanese government to call for a Special Session at the UN Human Rights Council to establish an independent investigative mechanism into alleged violations by all parties. The organization also called for the Lebanese authorities to grant the International Criminal Court (ICC) jurisdiction over crimes committed on Lebanese territory.
Amnesty International has also called on all states, particularly the United States, to suspend arms transfers to Israel due to the risk of their use in serious violations of international humanitarian law.
These incidents add to Israel’s long history of unlawful airstrikes in Gaza and previous wars in Lebanon, underscoring the urgent need for accountability and justice for the victims.
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