Geneva, March 6 (SANA) – The United Nations on Friday called for prompt investigations into recent Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon to determine whether they complied with international law, warning that civilians are paying a heavy price as the conflict escalates.
Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, said the renewed hostilities have had a devastating impact and exacerbated the suffering of an already exhausted civilians and urged all parties to avoid further escalation.
She warned that Israeli ground incursions in southern Lebanon, extensive evacuation orders and continued airstrikes are worsening the humanitarian situation, noting that warnings issued for more than 100 towns and villages could affect tens of thousands of residents and may amount to forced displacement prohibited under international law.
The UN official also raised concerns over reports of civilian casualties in recent strikes, including attacks on residential buildings in Baalbek and Nabatieh.
At the same time, she said Hezbollah continues to launch rockets toward Israel, raising concerns about indiscriminate attacks on civilians.
Israeli occupation has carried out airstrikes across southern Lebanon, the Beqaa Valley and Beirut’s southern suburbs since Monday after Hezbollah fired rockets toward Israeli positions.
