Press release
Violations of international humanitarian law in Lebanon: NGOs call for immediate action to halt escalating harm to civilians and civilian infrastructure
The escalation of hostilities in Lebanon since 2 March has resulted in widespread civilian harm, destruction of critical infrastructure and significant constraints on humanitarian operations.
Over 2,100 people have been killed and over 6,900 injured, and more than 1.2 million – one fifth of the estimated total population – are internally displaced, including over 390,000 children. Repeated Israeli strikes in populated areas, damage to essential civilian infrastructure and attacks affecting healthcare services have compounded an already fragile humanitarian situation. At the same time humanitarian actors and medical personnel face increasing barriers to delivering life-saving assistance safely and at scale.
These patterns raise serious concerns regarding compliance with International Humanitarian Law (IHL), particularly the principles of distinction, proportionality and precautions in attack. Likewise, IHL affords special protection to medical and humanitarian personnel and infrastructure, yet the conflict has been marked by a concerning number of attacks affecting healthcare and growing restrictions on humanitarian access.
This paper, issued jointly by International, National and Local NGOs from the Lebanon Humanitarian INGO Forum (LHIF) and Lebanon Humanitarian and Development NGOs Forum (LHDF), draws on evidence and experience from our operations in the field. We call for an immediate ceasefire and adherence to IHL by all parties to the conflict, as well as urgent, sustained and flexible funding from the international community to support the growing needs of displaced persons and those remaining in vulnerable areas.