GENEVA, (PIC)
The Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor has said that Israel’s detonation of pager and wireless communication devices in Lebanon on Tuesday and Wednesday constitutes a serious targeting of civilians and a blatant violation of international law.
The Monitor clarified that the attack was not limited to targeting Hezbollah members; rather, Israel indiscriminately exploded the targeted devices, including those used by civilians.
It noted that the timing of the attack indicates that Israel did not take the necessary precautions, as it occurred during periods when device users were at home with their families, leading to numerous severe injuries among civilians, including children.
The Euro-Med Monitor deemed Israel’s actions a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law, which prohibits indiscriminate attacks and the targeting of civilians and their property, requiring warring parties to differentiate between civilians and combatants at all times.
It emphasized that international humanitarian law forbids the use of booby traps associated with items used in everyday civilian life, or those linked with protected persons, including those that attract civilians.
The Monitor stressed that these violations represent a serious breach of human rights, involving unlawful killings and violations of personal and public safety, and have been used as a tool to achieve political objectives, clearly contradicting the fundamental principles of human rights.
The Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor called for an urgent and independent international investigation into these attacks and urged pressure on Israel to immediately stop its crimes and prevent escalation in the region.
Lebanon experienced explosions in communication and wireless devices today and yesterday, resulting in the martyrdom and injury of dozens of Lebanese, with Lebanon and Hezbollah holding the Israeli occupation responsible for what occurred.
