Weaponising ordinary communication devices marks a disturbing new development in warfare, and targeting thousands of Lebanese using pagers, two-way radios, and electronic equipment without their knowledge constitutes a violation of international human rights law, UN human rights chief Volker Turk said on Friday.
Addressing an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, Turk insisted on the need for an independent and transparent investigation into the two attacks in Lebanon on Tuesday and Wednesday, which reportedly killed 37 people and injured over 3,400 others. He stated that those who ordered and executed these attacks must be held accountable.
Lebanon has accused Israel of responsibility for the attacks, which appeared to target Hezbollah militants but resulted in numerous civilian casualties, including children. Hezbollah has a history of conflict with Israel, notably during the 2006 war, and has conducted near-daily strikes against Israel in support of Hamas militants following their attack on Israel on October 7.
Before the council meeting, Israel's UN Ambassador Danny Danon responded to questions about speculation surrounding Israeli involvement in the explosions. "We are not commenting on the specific attacks you mentioned, but I can tell you that we will do everything we can to target those terrorists while minimising civilian casualties," he stated.
Lebanon's Foreign Minister Abdallah Bouhabib accused Israel of terrorising the Lebanese population in their daily lives. He presented a graphic photo of a mangled hand, urging the council members to "look at the ugliness of what has happened."
Bouhabib asserted that Israel not only carried out the attacks but also highlighted a now-deleted tweet from an adviser to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that seemingly acknowledged Israeli involvement and praised the outcomes of the assaults.
Danon countered by criticising Bouhabib for failing to mention Hezbollah, claiming that the Lebanese people are under the control of a terrorist organisation. Bouhabib warned the council that failing to condemn the attacks and identify Israel as the perpetrator would open a "Pandora's Box," enabling further violence against civilians using similar devices.
Turk emphasised that the explosions violated both international human rights law and key principles of international humanitarian law, including the distinction between civilians and combatants, proportionality, and precautions.
He noted that the use of booby-trap devices that appear harmless is prohibited, labelling such acts as war crimes intended to instill terror among civilians. "This method of warfare may be new and unfamiliar, but international humanitarian and human rights law apply regardless and must be upheld," he asserted.
Danon attributed the ongoing military actions along the Lebanon-Israel border to Iran and its influence over Hezbollah. "While Israel is not seeking a wider conflict, we will not allow Hezbollah to continue its provocations," he declared, emphasising Israel's commitment to protecting its citizens.
Iran's UN Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani countered that Israel bears full responsibility for these crimes and pledged to pursue accountability for the attack on the Iranian ambassador to Lebanon, whose eyes were injured in the explosions. He described the gravity of the attacks as a threat to peace and security in the region and urged the international community to recognise the role Western countries, particularly the US and UK, play in enabling Israeli aggression.
UN political chief Rosemary DiCarlo warned the council that the recent explosions, combined with over 11 months of violence in Gaza and ongoing exchanges of fire along the Israel-Lebanon border, pose a significant threat to regional security and stability. She called for maximum restraint from all parties and urged nations with influence to leverage their power to defuse the situation.
Earlier, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric urged both Israel and Hezbollah to return to the cessation of hostilities that existed before the Hamas attacks on October 7 and Israel's military response in Gaza, warning that the region is on the brink of catastrophe and that an urgent diplomatic solution is necessary.
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