The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has warned that Israel’s recent military operations and large-scale displacement orders in Lebanon are significantly worsening the humanitarian situation for civilians already exhausted by months of escalating hostilities.

In press briefing notes delivered in Geneva, Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, stated that Israeli ground incursions into southern Lebanon, combined with extensive airstrikes across different parts of the country, have intensified fear, insecurity, and suffering among the civilian population.

Widespread displacement orders

According to OHCHR, Israel issued broad displacement warnings affecting Beirut’s southern suburbs, the Bekaa region, and the entire area south of the Litani River. These orders reportedly impacted more than 100 towns and villages, home to tens of thousands of people, while potentially affecting many more.

In addition, the Israeli army called for the evacuation of almost the entire southern suburb of Beirut, creating widespread fear and panic among residents, as well as concern in communities across eastern Lebanon.

Overall, hundreds of thousands of people have been affected by these displacement orders. OHCHR noted that the scale and breadth of these warnings make it extremely difficult for civilians to comply with them. This raises questions about their effectiveness, a requirement under international humanitarian law, and creates a risk that such measures could amount to prohibited forced displacement.

Civilian casualties reported

The UN human rights office also highlighted the devastating impact of the renewed escalation on civilians.

An Israeli strike on 4 March that hit a residential building in Baalbek reportedly killed at least eight people, including three girls and two women. Another strike on 5 March targeted a building in Nabatyeh district, reportedly killing a family of four.

OHCHR stressed that prompt and thorough investigations must be carried out to determine whether these attacks complied with the fundamental principles of distinction, proportionality, and precautions in attack under international humanitarian law.

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