Amnesty Urges War Crimes Probe into Israeli Aggression against Lebanon
The three Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon led to the martyrdom of 24 civilians, including 12 children.
Amnesty International said the attacks displayed a "callous disregard for civilian lives" and may constitute grave violations of international humanitarian law.
In a report released on Thursday, the human rights organization concluded that there are reasonable grounds to believe the attacks violated the laws of war, citing evidence that the Israeli occupation either failed to distinguish between civilians and alleged military objectives, directly targeted civilians or civilian objects, or neglected to take all feasible precautions to minimize civilian harm.
The attacks, carried out on March 6, 12, and 13, targeted homes in the al-Thakana neighborhood of Tyre district, Irkay village in Saida district, and the Rahbat neighborhood of Nabatiyeh district. In addition to the 24 people martyred, at least 18 others were injured.
According to Amnesty International, those martyred included 12 children between the ages of five and 16, six women, including a pregnant woman, and six men.
Drawing on satellite imagery, verified videos and photographs, witness testimony, and field interviews, the organization said it found no evidence of what Israel claimed were military objectives at any of the three locations at the time they were struck.
"Within the space of just a week, the Israeli military obliterated entire families, including a dozen children, in Lebanon, demonstrating a callous disregard for civilian lives," said Kristine Beckerle, Amnesty International's Deputy Regional Director for West Asia and North Africa.
"How many more families will have to pull the body parts of their children from the rubble before this devastating cycle of war crimes ends?" she added.
Beckerle urged governments to impose "an immediate comprehensive arms embargo on Israel" and called on states to investigate and prosecute those responsible using universal jurisdiction where applicable.
She also warned that international efforts aimed at de-escalation should not come at the expense of accountability.
"There are mounting fears that the latest, US-brokered Israel-Lebanon agreement could become yet another barrier to justice, denying victims a path to accountability", she said.
Amnesty said neither its investigation nor witness testimony uncovered evidence that the home was being used for military purposes.
Source: AFP
