A selection of UN comments on violation of human rights by Israel in Gaza and Lebanon

Israel’s attacks on Lebanon are part of a long history of tension, marked by repeated violations of international law and human rights by Israel, Since 7 October. Israel’s actions have been the subject at least 121 statements from UN Special Rapporteurs and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, condemning its persistent violations of international law. Despite these urgent appeals, Israel continues its aggressive campaigns, most notably in Lebanon, where it has repeatedly breached sovereignty and targeted civilians, infrastructure, and humanitarian workers. Such actions constitute grave breaches of international humanitarian law. Below is a selection of key statements from UN experts, serving as a critical resource for researchers and journalist examining Israel's ongoing violations.

- Excerpt from the UN experts’ statement about the Israel’s increasing disregard for international law on 04 October 2024
… Israel’s latest breach of international law – a ground invasion in violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and Security Council resolution 1701 – will only add to this mounting toll of death and displacement,”

… Israel has impeded relief efforts through attacking vital civilian infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and water and health facilities, as well as health and humanitarian workers themselves.
… These are clear violations of the international obligation to respect and protect relief personnel that risk collapsing the system to protect and assist displaced persons.
… Israel cannot use such crimes to justify its own atrocities in Lebanon, including acts of violence intended to spread terror among civilians and indiscriminate warfare. To do so would amount to collective punishment, another grave violation of international law. Further perpetuating cycles of violence and retribution is unlawful and prevents the realization of durable solutions for those displaced in Israel and Lebanon.1

Excerpt from the UN experts’ statement about the Israel-Lebanon conflict and escalation of violence on 30 September 2024

… airstrikes now being carried out by Israel in densely populated areas in Lebanon, where residential buildings are being levelled to the ground and people are given unrealistically short evacuation orders before homes are bombed, fail the tests of distinction, proportionality, precaution and necessity under international humanitarian law and may constitute domicide for mass destruction of homes.
… The escalation and expansion of attacks against civilians, which we now see in Lebanon, comes on top of a genocidal campaign against the Palestinian people, especially in Gaza, which we have condemned for months,”.2

- Excerpt from the United Nations High Commissioner Volker Türk statements about the disrespect for international law in Israel-Lebanon conflict and explosions across Lebanon on 20 September 2024
Simultaneous targeting of thousands of individuals, whether civilians or members of armed groups, without knowledge as to who was in possession of the targeted devices, their location, and their surroundings at the time of the attack, violates international human rights law and, as applicable, international humanitarian law.
It is a war crime to commit violence intended to spread terror among civilians.
… The wider situation of illegality across the occupied Palestinian territory deriving from Israel’s policies and practices, as so clearly spelled out by the International Court of Justice in its Advisory Opinion in July, must be comprehensively addressed.
… States have constructed international human rights and humanitarian law precisely for moments like these - when life, dignity and our very humanity are at risk.
As such, States must not – cannot – accept blatant disregard for international law, including binding decisions of the Security Council and orders of the International Court of Justice.
All States, particularly those with influence, must do everything they can to ensure full respect for international law.3

- Excerpt from ICJ Advisory Opinion
The ICJ declared Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory, encompassing the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip, as unlawful under international law and emphasized that Israel’s actions amount to annexation. The Opinion noted that Israel’s actions include forcible transfer, racial discrimination and segregation or apartheid, and a violation of the right to self-determination of the Palestinian people. Particularly alarming is the impact of these violations on generations of Palestinian children, and the disproportionate effects on women, persons with disabilities, and older persons.4

- Excerpt from the UN experts’ statement about the deplore attacks on Al-Shifa Hospital
UN experts condemned the wholesale destruction and killing at Al-Shifa Hospital following a two-week siege and urged UN Member States to use all their powers to stop the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
The world is witnessing the first genocide shown in real time to the world by its victims and unfathomably justified by Israel as compliant with the laws of war.
The besieging and destruction of a hospital and the killing of health workers, the sick and wounded, and the people who protect them, is prohibited by international law. Allowing this violence to take place has sent a clear message to the world and the international community that the people of Gaza do not have the right to health and critical determinants of health adequate for their existence.5

1) Lebanon: UN experts deplore Israel’s increasing disregard for international law | OHCHR

2) UN experts alarmed by Israel-Lebanon conflict, strongly condemn escalation and urge immediate protection for civilians | OHCHR

3) Disrespect for international law is a matter of international peace and security, High Commissioner Türk tells the UN Security Council | OHCHR

4) UN experts warn international order on a knife’s edge, urge States to comply with ICJ Advisory Opinion | OHCHR

5) https://www.ohchr.org/en/statements-and-speeches/2024/04/israelgaza-un-experts-deplore-attacks-al-shifa-hospital-urge-states