ICRC urges fighters in Middle East to spare civilians

a0fc4fbed091fa2312d460ccde79fb02


The International Committee of the Red Cross has called on parties to the Middle East conflict to respect international humanitarian law, given the increasing number of civilian casualties in Lebanon.

The ICRC said in Geneva on Wednesday that international humanitarian law makes it clear that care must be taken at all times to spare the civilian population and civilian objects when conducting military operations, and that a distinction must be made between civilian objects and military objectives.

Spokesman Christian Cardon said “the civilian population will undoubtedly pay the highest price if the conflict escalates further.”

The ICRC’s work in international armed conflicts is aimed at upholding and promoting international humanitarian law and is based on the four Geneva Conventions.

The ICRC is working with the Red Cross and Red Crescent to provide assistance to the wounded and displaced, for example by providing medical supplies for hospitals, as well as food, household products and cash for residents.

Lebanese army soldiers secure the scene of an Israeli airstrike in the southern suburb of Beirut. Six people were killed and 15 others wounded in the strike, which targeted Hezbollah's missile chief, the Israeli military said, according to Lebanon's Health Ministry. Marwan Naamani/dpaLebanese army soldiers secure the scene of an Israeli airstrike in the southern suburb of Beirut. Six people were killed and 15 others wounded in the strike, which targeted Hezbollah's missile chief, the Israeli military said, according to Lebanon's Health Ministry. Marwan Naamani/dpa

Lebanese army soldiers secure the scene of an Israeli airstrike in the southern suburb of Beirut. Six people were killed and 15 others wounded in the strike, which targeted Hezbollah’s missile chief, the Israeli military said, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry. Marwan Naamani/dpa

A Lebanese Shiite family walks along the Sidon-Beirut highway as they flee from Rmeileh in southern Lebanon to Beirut. Thousands of families fled southern Lebanon to areas of the capital Beirut and Mount Lebanon following increased Israeli attacks. Marwan Naamani/dpaA Lebanese Shiite family walks along the Sidon-Beirut highway as they flee from Rmeileh in southern Lebanon to Beirut. Thousands of families fled southern Lebanon to areas of the capital Beirut and Mount Lebanon following increased Israeli attacks. Marwan Naamani/dpa

A Lebanese Shiite family walks along the Sidon-Beirut highway as they flee from Rmeileh in southern Lebanon to Beirut. Thousands of families fled southern Lebanon to areas of the capital Beirut and Mount Lebanon following increased Israeli attacks. Marwan Naamani/dpa

A fire breaks out in a forest after a rocket hit Safed from Lebanon. Ilia Yefimovich/dpaA fire breaks out in a forest after a rocket hit Safed from Lebanon. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa

A fire breaks out in a forest after a rocket hit Safed from Lebanon. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa

Damage is seen in a building after a rocket from Lebanon hit a house in Safed. Ilia Yefimovich/dpaDamage is seen in a building after a rocket from Lebanon hit a house in Safed. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa

Damage is seen in a building after a rocket from Lebanon hit a house in Safed. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top