UN Experts Urge Halt to Arms for Israel Amid Escalating Lebanon Conflict
A group of United Nations experts has strongly condemned Israel’s recent attacks on Lebanon, labeling them as illegal and urging all UN member states to immediately suspend arms transfers to Israel. This call comes just a day after the United States and Iran reportedly agreed to a ceasefire.
The condemnation, issued by 19 experts including special rapporteurs and independent human rights experts, was made public on Wednesday as Israeli forces continued their bombardment of southern Lebanon. Lebanese state media reported that these ongoing strikes have resulted in at least 16 fatalities, including four paramedics.
Grave Violations and Humanitarian Crisis
Referring to a devastating wave of Israeli attacks on April 8, which Lebanese authorities stated killed over 350 people, including 30 children, the experts asserted: “This is not self-defence. It is a blatant violation of the UN Charter, a deliberate destruction of prospects for peace, and an affront to multilateralism and the UN-based international order.”
The UN Human Rights Council reported that the experts demanded Israel “cease all military operations in Lebanon” and pressed UN member states to halt arms transfers to Israel, citing “credible evidence of serious violations of international humanitarian and human rights law.”
The escalation of Israeli attacks on Lebanon began on March 2, following rocket fire into Israel by the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah. Hezbollah’s actions were in response to the reported US-Israel killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei two days prior, marking the first day of their conflict with Iran.
The conflict has led to a severe humanitarian crisis in Lebanon, with Israel’s extensive bombardment and ground invasion in the south resulting in over 2,000 deaths and the forced displacement of more than 1.2 million people.
The UN experts highlighted that such forced displacement of a civilian population constitutes “crimes against humanity.” They also condemned Israel’s targeted “destruction of homes,” particularly in predominantly Shia areas of the south, describing it as “a form of collective punishment” that “points to ethnic cleansing.”
Ceasefire Tensions and Diplomatic Efforts
Israel’s continued bombardment of Lebanon has emerged as a significant point of contention in ongoing US-Iran negotiations. Tehran has advocated for Lebanon’s inclusion in the current ceasefire agreement. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Lebanon is not part of the ceasefire with Iran, affirming that Israel will continue to target Hezbollah “wherever required.”
Despite these tensions, rare high-level diplomatic talks between Israel and Lebanon were held in the US on Saturday. Netanyahu expressed Israel’s desire for long-term peace with Lebanon, contingent on the disarmament of Hezbollah.
Reuters news agency quoted a senior Israeli official indicating that Israel’s security cabinet planned to convene on Wednesday evening to discuss a potential ceasefire in Lebanon. Simultaneously, several senior Lebanese officials were quoted as confirming that ceasefire efforts were actively underway.
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