A panel of 19 United Nations experts has called on member states to immediately halt weapon transfers to Israel, describing its military action in Lebanon as a clear breach of the UN Charter, reports Al Jazeera.
The group, comprising special rapporteurs and independent specialists across various human rights fields, issued their statement on Wednesday as Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon reportedly killed at least 16 people, including four medical workers. The experts characterised the continuing offensive as a deliberate blow to peace prospects and an affront to the international order, rather than an act of self-defence.
Crimes against humanity
The condemnation followed a major escalation on 8 April, where Lebanese authorities reported over 350 fatalities, including 30 children. The UN Human Rights Council noted the experts’ recommendation to suspend arms sales while there is credible evidence of serious violations of international humanitarian law.
Furthermore, the experts stated that the forced displacement of more than 1.2 million people constitutes crimes against humanity. They also labelled the systematic destruction of homes in predominantly Shia regions as a form of “collective punishment” indicative of ethnic cleansing.
Regional conflict
The conflict intensified on 2 March following the US-Israel killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, which marked the beginning of the war on Iran.
Since that time, Israeli bombardments and a ground invasion have resulted in more than 2,000 deaths. In diplomatic spheres, Tehran has argued that Lebanon should be covered under the recently agreed US-Iran ceasefire.
However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted that Lebanon is not part of that agreement and that operations against Hezbollah will continue “wherever required”.
Ceasefire talks
Despite the rhetoric, reports suggest that diplomatic efforts are ongoing. Senior officials from both Israel and Lebanon have indicated that ceasefire negotiations are under way.
The Israeli security cabinet was scheduled to convene on Wednesday evening to deliberate on a potential truce, following rare, high-level talks between the two nations held recently in the United States. Netanyahu has previously stated that any long-term peace would be contingent on the disarmament of Hezbollah.
