The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) expressed on Tuesday grave concern over the continued loss of civilian life in Lebanon. The country is facing ongoing Israeli military operations, with the UN human rights office saying the strikes may constitute violations of international humanitarian law.

Central to this are the principles of distinction and proportionality, which form a key part of the Geneva Conventions and require parties to an armed conflict to distinguish between civilians and combatants. The principles also require parties to refrain from attacks that may cause excessive harm to civilian life or infrastructure.

Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Thameen Al-Kheetan said:

The violence must stop immediately. All parties to the conflict must respect international humanitarian law, including the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution. There must be prompt, independent and impartial investigations into all allegations of serious violations of international humanitarian law, and those found responsible must be held to account. All those internally displaced, in Lebanon and in Israel, should be able to safely return home.

This comes after Human Rights Watch called on the new Lebanese government to prioritize human rights and the rule of law in early January and just days after the UN expressed deep concern over the escalation of violence in Lebanon following an Israeli attack in south Beirut. This also comes just months after UNIFIL urged Israel to withdraw from southern Lebanon amid ceasefire violations. Further, Human Rights Watch had informed in mid-February that Israel attacks against Lebanon had damaged significant infrastructure and prevented thousands of Lebanese from returning home.