UN: Attack on Lebanon Violates International Law

Author: Dian Kencana
September 22, 2024

The UN Security Council (UNSC) held an emergency assembly session on Friday (20/9/2024) focusing on the deadly explosion of communication devices in Lebanon. (ANTARA/Anadolu)

SEAToday.com, Kanada - Attacks using pagers or beepers and other electronic devices in Lebanon violate international humanitarian law, said United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk on Friday, (9/20).

He emphasized that targeting thousands of individuals together, both civilians and members of armed groups without knowing who owns the targeted devices, is a violation of international human rights and international humanitarian law.

He made the assertion at the UN Security Council meeting.

He warned that international humanitarian law prohibits the use of booby-trapped devices in the form of harmless portable objects specifically designed and assembled to contain explosives.

“Committing violence intended to spread terror among civilians is a war crime,” he added.

On September 17 and September 18, numerous beacons and walkie-talkies exploded in various parts of Lebanon.

According to the Lebanese Health Ministry, 37 people were killed and more than 3,000 injured in the blasts.

The Hezbollah movement and the Lebanese government blamed Israel for the incidents.

Israeli authorities neither confirmed nor denied their involvement.