Two United Nations (UN) officials have condemned the recent attacks against Lebanon, during an emergency session of the UN Security Council on Friday.
The meeting was held following a surge in cross-border fire between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as well as deadly wireless device explosions targeting members of the militant group.
Tensions escalated along the border separating Lebanon and Israel following two consecutive days of explosions involving pagers and handheld radios across Lebanon, which resulted in at least 37 fatalities and 2,931 injuries. Hezbollah has blamed Israel for those explosions, while Israel has made no response to the charge.
"Authorities have reportedly dismantled unexploded devices in universities, banks, and hospitals. This has unleashed widespread fear, panic, and horror among people in Lebanon," said Volker Turk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
The emergency meeting was requested by Algeria. At the meeting Amar Bendjama, Algeria's Permanent Representative to UN, blamed Israel for the attacks, saying the country's move blatantly violated Lebanese sovereignty, the UN Charter and the UN Resolution 1701.
"We strongly condemn these Israeli attacks. Such actions represent blatant violation of Lebanon's sovereignty, of the UN Charter, of the international law and of the resolution. These acts of aggression amount to war crimes, with densely populated areas being targeted. These dangers turn civilian devices into bombs, threatening the safety of all and posing a significant threat, and opening a dangerous Pandora box. What will happen if such unfamiliar tactics are replicated by terrorist groups?" said Bendjama.
Also on Friday, the Israeli military launched air-strikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut, the capital of Lebanon. Bendjama said that Israel has extended the conflict from the Blue Line to the entirety of Lebanese territory.
"The air strikes against Beirut this (Friday) morning are another proof that the Israeli occupying power is not at all interested in peace. The Israeli officials have openly threatened to launch a large-scale war in Lebanon. While the international community calls for de-escalation, Israel pulls the region toward war, expanding hostilities from the blue line and to the entire Lebanese territory. The Security Council Must enforce its resolution. Resolution 1701 must be fully implemented without bias. And the Israeli occupier aggressions must cease. Only by ending the occupation that we could pave the way for lasting peace and stability in the region," said Bendjama.
UN officials condemn attacks against Lebanon
