The United Nations (UN) has condemned the recent detonation of hand-held communication devices in Lebanon, stating that such actions could amount to war crimes. This condemnation follows devastating blasts that occurred on Tuesday and Wednesday, killing at least 37 people and injuring nearly 3,000. Beirut’s top diplomat accused Israel of orchestrating what he termed a “terror” attack against communication devices used by the Iran-backed Hezbollah group.
During an emergency session of the Security Council requested by Algeria, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk emphasized that international humanitarian law strictly prohibits the use of booby-trap devices disguised as harmless objects. “It is a war crime to commit violence intended to spread terror among civilians,” Turk asserted, reiterating the need for an “independent, rigorous and transparent” investigation into the blasts.
Turk expressed his alarm over the scale and impact of the attacks, characterizing them as a troubling evolution in warfare. “These attacks represent a new development in warfare, where communication tools become weapons. This cannot be the new normal,” he stated.
The UN’s strong stance highlights growing concerns about the targeting of civilians and the potential normalization of such violent tactics. As investigations continue, the international community watches closely, seeking accountability and a resolution to the ongoing conflict in Lebanon.
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