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UN experts warn against continued violations of ceasefire in Lebanon and urge protection of civilians
Expressing dismay at the devastating impact on civilians of continuing Israeli air and drone strikes in Lebanon despite an agreed ceasefire on 27 November 2024, UN experts* today urged all parties to fully adhere to the cessation of hostilities agreement and called for independent investigations and accountability for all violations of international law.
“Despite the ceasefire, Israel continues to strike Lebanese territory almost daily,” the experts said.
“These attacks have resulted in a mounting toll of civilian deaths and injuries and destruction and damage of infrastructure, housing, the environment and agricultural zones vital to civilian livelihoods.”
They said Israel’s repeated strikes and partial occupation of territory in Lebanon have left schools, health centres, and places of worship inaccessible, preventing the resumption of essential civilian life and services.
“Israel’s conduct is seriously undermining efforts by Lebanese authorities to implement effective disarmament as required by the cessation of hostilities agreement and Security Council resolution 1701,” the experts said.
Since the ceasefire came into force, the Lebanese Armed Forces have recorded almost daily violations and the Israel Defense Forces have been quoted as confirming over 500 airstrikes on what it alleges are Hezbollah targets. The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has verified 108 civilian casualties in Lebanon, including 71 men, 21 women, and 16 children. At least 19 abductions of civilians from Lebanon by Israeli soldiers, which may amount to cases of enforced disappearances, have also been recorded in the southern region.
Most recently, on 11 October 2025, Israel carried out intense airstrikes on southern Lebanon, killing one person and injuring seven. The raids also caused considerable damage, including the destruction of over 300 heavy-duty construction vehicles and at least one three-storey house.
“We deplore all killings of civilians that violate international humanitarian law and the human right to life,” the experts said. “Any destruction of housing and civilian infrastructure contrary tointernational humanitarian law must also cease immediately,” they added. “All violations must be promptly and independently investigated and perpetrators brought to justice.”
More than 80,000 individuals remain displaced in Lebanon and are unable to return to their homes and lands. While there were four incidents of projectiles fired from Lebanon toward Israel since the ceasefire, none of which resulted in casualties though some 30,000 individuals reportedly remain displaced from northern Israel.
“Displacement has grave cascading impacts on human rights, including separation of individuals from their homes, livelihoods, schools, health care, support networks and even family members,” they noted. “All individuals must be able to return safely to their homes and begin rebuilding their lives in a dignified way.”
The experts also expressed alarm at reports of grenades dropped near United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeepers for the second time this month, which resulted in injuries to one peacekeeper. “We urge Israel to ensure the safety and security of United Nations peacekeepers as required by international law and to cease all interference with the execution of their mandate under Security Council resolution 1701,” they said.
The experts have brought to the attention of Israel many severe violations of international humanitarian and human rights law committed during the hostilities with Hezbollah. They expressed deep regret at the lack of response and cooperation from the Government of Israel and its continued disregard for international law.
The experts noted that despite several calls from Special Procedures mandate holders and theUnited Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights for compliance with the terms of the ceasefire, Israel has made little progress on withdrawing from South Lebanon. “Israel’s enduring occupation of at least five positions and two so-called buffer zones north of the Blue Line blatantly contradicts the ceasefire agreement and undermines any prospect of lasting peace.”
“We call on all parties to fully and immediately comply with international law, the provisions of Security Council resolution 1701 and the ceasefire agreement, including the cessation of hostilities, and fully respect Lebanese sovereignty. The parties must also take concrete steps towards the protection of civilians, accountability and a durable peace.”
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Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.
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