BEIRUT, (PIC)
The Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor said on Thursday that Israel’s large-scale and ongoing attacks on Lebanon may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity, calling for an urgent international investigation.
In a statement, the group said field data from a wave of intensive airstrikes carried out a day earlier documented around 1,300 Lebanese martyred or wounded, with dozens still missing under the rubble.
It said the pattern of attacks appeared indiscriminate and disproportionate, involving the use of highly destructive firepower in densely populated areas.
According to the organization, strikes targeted homes, civilian gatherings, and social events, in what it described as a clear violation of the principles of distinction and precaution, raising concerns of excessive use of force and potential international criminal responsibility.
The group noted that the escalation came shortly after the announcement of a ceasefire agreement involving the US and Iran, suggesting a possible intent to undermine de-escalation efforts and push the region toward a wider cycle of violence.
It stressed that the nature of civilian targets, the type of munitions used, and the high number of casualties require the immediate activation of international and national accountability mechanisms to ensure those responsible are held to account.
Israeli occupation forces (IOF) had launched a large-scale assault on Wednesday, targeting around 100 sites across Lebanon within 10 minutes, claiming to strike Hezbollah-linked infrastructure in Beirut, the Bekaa Valley, and southern Lebanon.
The Israeli military described the operation as its largest since expanding its attacks on Lebanon on March 2.
Lebanese prime minister Nawaf Salam announced Thursday a national day of mourning for victims of the strikes, which killed hundreds of civilians across multiple areas.
