Beirut - Saba:
The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor has affirmed that the ongoing targeting of civilian sites in Lebanon, now in its fourth week since the onset of the intensified Zionist aggression, amounts to war crimes amid the deepening policy of impunity.
The Observatory said in a statement on Tuesday that Lebanese civilians suffer from the burdens of the Zionist war, which does not respect international laws aimed at reducing the effects of the war on them and alleviating their suffering for humanitarian reasons.
He pointed out that the Zionist enemy army has been continuing its aggression against southern Lebanon for more than a year, targeting homes and civilian objects, intensifying the use of internationally banned phosphorous bombs and burning forest areas close to homes.
"The blowing up of entire neighborhoods and civilian objects is a serious violation of international humanitarian law, in particular the principles of distinction and proportionality, including the distinction of military objectives from civilian objects."
He reiterated that "targeting civilian neighborhoods and civilian infrastructure indiscriminately and without distinction between civilians and combatants is a war crime in accordance with the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols."
Euro-Med Monitor pointed out that the violations of international laws, especially international humanitarian law, by the enemy army have exceeded civilians, medics and aid workers.
"These violations included the United Nations peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the Lebanese army not participating in fighting or hostilities."
The Observatory warned that the bombing of all houses in southern towns, with UNIFIL repeatedly targeted, "perpetuates the scorched earth policy."
He pointed to "repeated talk by Zionist officials about imposing a new reality on the border through the establishment of a border strip free of residents and settlements in southern Lebanon."
Euro-Med Monitor called on the international community to implement its commitments to continue respecting and applying international law and international humanitarian law, putting an end to the serious crimes committed against unarmed civilians in Lebanon and preventing impunity for their perpetrators.
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