Letter dated 7 August from the UN Secretary-General to the President of the Security Council, August 7, 2006 [reporting on the Israeli airstrike on Qana in Lebanon that killed a significant number of civilians on July 30]. Excerpt:

The attack on Qana should be seen in the broader context of what could, on the basis of preliminary information available to the United Nations, including eyewitness accounts, be a pattern of violations of international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law, committed during the course of the current hostilities. I have repeatedly condemned all actions that target civilians and I again call on all parties to the conflict to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law and, in particular, to take all necessary precautions to spare civilian life and property.

The effects of the current conflict on civilians in Lebanon and Israel rise to a level of seriousness that requires further gathering of information, including information on violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law. Accordingly, I support the calls for a more comprehensive investigation.

Read the full text of the report. Reported in JURIST's Paper Chase here.