Israel\u2019s multiple bombings of a financial institution in Lebanon were illegal attacks on civilian objects under international humanitarian law, an independent human rights expert said today.<\/p>\n
\u201cInternational humanitarian law does not permit attacks on the economic or financial infrastructure of an adversary, even if they indirectly sustain its military activities,\u201d said Ben Saul, the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism.<\/p>\n
Israel warned publicly in advance that it would attack offices associated with a specific financial institution, which Israel says finances the Hezbollah organisation: \u201cThe purpose of this strike is to target the ability of Hezbollah\u2019s economic function both during the war but also afterwards to rebuild and to rearm.\u201d<\/p>\n
The financial institution provides interest-free loans and undertakes charitable activities, counts thousands of customers in its clientele and has numerous bank branches in Lebanon.<\/p>\n
Saul reiterated that in armed conflict, only \u201cmilitary objectives\u201d can be attacked, defined as objects that effectively contribute to military action and whose destruction \u201coffers a definite military advantage.\u201d Unlike fighters or weapons, the mere economic activities of an adversary do not effectively contribute to military action, he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBombing banks obliterates the distinction between civilian objects and military objectives which is fundamental to protecting civilians from violence. It opens the door to \u2018total war\u2019 against civilian populations, where fighting is no longer limited to attacking militarily dangerous targets,\u201d the expert said. \u201cSuch attacks jeopardise the right to life\u201d.<\/p>\n
He warned that international counter-terrorism law does not authorise military attacks to prevent alleged terrorist financing or money laundering.<\/p>\n
\u201cBombing banks is not a lawful solution to the challenges of financial crime and regulation,\u201d Saul said.<\/p>\n
All states have obligations under international law to take administrative and criminal law measures to prevent and suppress terrorist financing and money laundering.<\/p>\n
These attacks are the latest escalation of violence in Lebanon over the past year, with over 2,400 people killed and 1.2 million displaced, and 59 people killed in northern Israel and Syria\u2019s Golan Heights, occupied by Israel.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe parties must immediately cease fire, to preserve civilian lives and restore peace,\u201d the Special Rapporteur said.<\/p>\n