The Cost of Crimes in Israel and Lebanon

Yuvalf123, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah continues to escalate to catastrophic heights.

 Stemming from long-standing regional tensions, the latest phase of violence erupted after Hamas launched an attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, in response to Israel's ongoing occupation of Palestinian territories. In solidarity with Hamas, Hezbollah, a powerful political and military force in Lebanon, launched its attacks on Israel, contributing to the escalating violence. This exchange of fire prompted Israel to launch military retaliation against Hezbollah, resulting in significant destruction and the displacement of civilians on both sides of the border.

Hezbollah’s rocket attacks, coupled with Israel’s airstrikes and ground invasion of southern Lebanon, have drawn international concern for their impact on civilians and potential violations of international humanitarian law. Over a million Lebanese civilians have been displaced due to Israel’s attacks, while thousands of Israeli civilians have fled their homes. Both the country and the terrorist group have been called upon for investigations into possible war crimes.  Human rights organizations and United Nations officials are urging accountability for any actions that may have breached humanitarian standards, including indiscriminate attacks and the targeting of civilian infrastructure. As the conflict drags on, the humanitarian crisis worsens, with civilians bearing the greatest toll and peace remaining out of reach.

Israel's Military Campaign

Since the outbreak of hostility following October 7, 2023, Israel has launched a series of military operations aimed at dismantling Hezbollah’s capabilities in Lebanon. Following the pager attacks on Hezbollah members and the assassination of Hezbollah leader, Hassan Nasrallah in September 2024, Israeli airstrikes intensified, particularly targeting Hezbollah strongholds in Beirut and areas along the Lebanon-Israel border. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have claimed that these operations are necessary to prevent future missile launches from Hezbollah into northern Israel.

Moreover, Israel has been accused of deliberately targeting the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeeping forces. According to Human Rights Watch, an Israeli tank recently fired upon a UNIFIL observation post, injuring peacekeepers in the Lebanon region. Israeli forces have also destroyed monitoring cameras and conducted attacks near UN peacekeeping positions. These actions have been labeled potential war crimes under international law, which prohibits deliberate attacks on peacekeepers who are involved in humanitarian and civilian protection efforts. 

Hezbollah's Response and Violations

Hezbollah, on the other hand, has launched approximately 1,800 attacks on Israeli territory since October 7, 2023, including missile strikes that have impacted both military and civilian areas in northern Israel. These actions have faced strong criticism from Israel, accusing Hezbollah of violating the laws of war, which mandate that combatants must distinguish between military and civilian targets. Hezbollah's missile attacks have resulted in civilian casualties and widespread damage to infrastructure, with the accusation that many of their rocket launches are carried out from within civilian areas, further endangering Lebanese citizens.

The conflict escalated further after the death of Nasrallah, with Hezbollah’s new leadership pledging to continue their fight against Israel. Hezbollah has repeatedly fired projectiles into Israel, including an attack on the Ramat David military airbase on September 22, 2023. Hezbollah has been accused of embedding their military operations within civilian areas and launching rockets from close proximity to hospitals and schools which have led to accusations of using civilians as human shields. This practice, if confirmed, would also be a violation of international law, specifically the prohibition on endangering civilian populations by hiding military activities among them.

The World Responds to Civilian Impact

The humanitarian consequences of the conflict are staggering. Both sides have contributed to the massive displacement of civilian populations. In Lebanon, the number of displaced people has exceeded 1.5 million—nearly 30% of the population— with many families seeking refuge in overcrowded facilities or even in makeshift camps along Beirut's waterfront. The ongoing airstrikes and ground battles have decimated entire communities, particularly in southern Lebanon, where Hezbollah's operations are concentrated. Similarly, in Israel, approximately 700,000 people—around 8% of the population—have been affected by Hezbollah's rocket attacks. Civilians on both sides are caught in the crossfire of a conflict that shows little regard for the protections afforded to non-combatants under international law.

During the 79th United Nations General Assembly on September 24, 2024, world leaders voiced concerns about the growing risk of full-scale conflict between Israel and Lebanon. UN Secretary-General António Guterres highlighted the critical situation, cautioning against "the possibility of transforming Lebanon [into] another Gaza," which he described as a "non-stop nightmare." He also stressed that, "We should all be alarmed by the escalation," warning that the Israel-Lebanon war was nearing the brink. French President Emmanuel Macron has also urged Iran to use its influence on Hezbollah to de-escalate tensions, emphasizing the need for a broader diplomatic effort to prevent further violence in the region. In parallel, Human Rights Watch, an international non-governmental organization, has called for an urgent United Nations inquiry into Israel's targeting of UNIFIL and other violations in Lebanon. The organization is pushing for a formal investigation into breaches of international law by both parties, which would help establish accountability and prevent further atrocities. Meanwhile, Israel has repeatedly demanded that Hezbollah comply with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, which calls for the disarmament of militias and a cessation of hostilities in southern Lebanon.