Rosemary DiCarlo, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, told ambassadors in the Security Councilthat the attacks and gun battles on the Blue Line, which have been going on for almost a year, “have increased in scale and intensity.”
In some cases, they penetrated much deeper into Lebanese and Israeli territory, displacing tens of thousands of people on both sides and causing widespread casualties, including among civilians.
Significant damage has also been reported to homes, civilian infrastructure and agricultural land on both sides of the Blue Line, the border between Israeli and Lebanese forces.
“The risk of further expansion of this cycle of violence is extremely serious and poses a serious threat to the stability of Lebanon, Israel and the entire region.“, she warned.
She urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint and protect civilians, while calling on influential Member States to take decisive action to prevent further escalation.
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Deep shock and panic
Ms. DiCarlo also mentioned the simultaneous explosions of communications equipment across Lebanon on September 17 and a second, smaller but deadly wave of explosions the following day involving walkie-talkies in the same areas.
Explosives exploded in homes, cars, supermarkets and on the streets, she said. Lebanese health authorities said 37 people, including two children, were killed and more than 3,400 were injured in the successive explosions.
“Medical professionals and hospitals are working day and night to help the wounded. The Lebanese society – old and young – is in deep shock and panic.”
Ms DiCarlo further noted that Lebanon’s interim Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, issued the condemnation. Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah and Iran also responded to the explosions, blaming Israel.
“To date, the Israeli government has not made any official comment on these developments,” she added.
Attacks cannot be the new norm
The Security Council was also informed by Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. added further context by addressing the human rights and humanitarian law concerns arising from these attacks.
“These attacks represent a new development in warfare, where communications tools become weapons that explode simultaneously in markets, on street corners and in homes as daily life unfolds.“, he said.
According to reports, authorities also dismantled unexploded ordnance in universities, banks and hospitals.
The attacks have caused “widespread fear and panic” among people in Lebanon, who have been facing an increasingly unstable situation and a severe and prolonged economic crisis since October 2023, he added.
“This cannot be the new normal.”
Even wars have rules
Mr Türk further noted that even wars are governed by rules that protect people’s rights and dignity and uphold societal values.
He stressed that simultaneously targeting thousands of people, whether civilians or members of armed groups, without knowing who held the targets, where they were or in what environment, constituted a violation of international human rights law and, where applicable, international humanitarian law.
“International humanitarian law prohibits the use of booby trap devices in the form of apparently harmless portable objects which are specifically designed and constructed to contain explosive material,” he said.
“It is a war crime to commit violence with the aim of terrorizing civilians.”
Call for independent investigation
The High Commissioner reiterated his call for an independent, thorough and transparent investigation into the circumstances of these explosions.
“Those who ordered and carried out these attacks must be held accountable,” he said.
“Let me be clear – this method of warfare may be new and unfamiliar. But international humanitarian law and human rights law apply regardless and must be upheld.”
