UN Expert Condemns Deadly Israeli Strikes in Lebanon as Violations of Ceasefire

The expert highlighted that Israel continues to occupy five locations and two “buffer zones” inside southern Lebanon—territory that Lebanese civilians have been unable to return to.

The UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Morris Tidball-Binz, has issued a powerful condemnation of Israel’s renewed military strikes in Lebanon, warning that the attacks represent a serious escalation, violate the existing ceasefire, and constitute grave breaches of international humanitarian law. His statement follows a series of deadly incidents, including a devastating Israeli drone strike on the Ein el-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp, which killed 14 people—12 of them children—and injured several others.

The strike, carried out on 18 November 2025, marks the deadliest single attack in Lebanon since the November 2024 ceasefire, which was designed to reduce hostilities along the border. Israel claimed it had targeted a Hamas “training compound,” but provided no further details or evidence.

A Disturbing Pattern of Violence Despite Ceasefire

According to the UN Human Rights Office, the Ein el-Hilweh incident is part of a disturbing pattern of near-daily Israeli air and drone strikes across southern Lebanon since the ceasefire came into force on 27 November 2024. These attacks have reportedly killed at least 127 Lebanese civilians, with many more injured. Homes, cars, agricultural areas and public roads have all been struck.

“These repeated attacks on civilians and civilian objects are war crimes and a violation of the UN Charter,” Tidball-Binz said. “What we are seeing is not isolated—it is part of a broader pattern of unlawful killings, disregard for the ceasefire agreement, and total indifference to Lebanon’s sovereignty.”

The Special Rapporteur stressed that lethal strikes in populated areas violate core principles of distinction, precaution, and proportionality that govern military conduct under international humanitarian law.

UN Peacekeepers Put at Risk in Escalating Attacks

Tidball-Binz also raised alarm about another serious dimension of the attacks: near-misses involving UN peacekeepers serving under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

On 16 November 2025, an Israeli Merkava tank fired shells that landed only a few metres from a UNIFIL patrol operating inside Lebanese territory, placing peacekeepers at acute risk. Weeks earlier, on 26 October, an Israeli drone flew close to a UNIFIL vehicle near Kfar Kila before dropping a grenade. Moments later, an Israeli tank fired in their direction.

“Intentionally directing attacks against UN personnel is a war crime,” Tidball-Binz stressed, underscoring the dangerous implications these actions have for regional stability and the safety of international monitoring forces.

Violations of Resolution 1701 and Continued Occupation of Lebanese Territory

The expert highlighted that Israel continues to occupy five locations and two “buffer zones” inside southern Lebanon—territory that Lebanese civilians have been unable to return to. These unilateral actions compound tensions and obstruct efforts by the Lebanese Government to restore peace under UN Security Council resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war and mandates a cessation of hostilities, troop withdrawals, and respect for the Blue Line.

“These attacks severely undermine Lebanon’s efforts to implement the ceasefire and to ensure justice and security for its people,” Tidball-Binz said. “They constitute serious international crimes that demand accountability.”

Call for Accountability, Investigation, and International Pressure

Tidball-Binz called on Israel to immediately halt all attacks in Lebanon, comply fully with the ceasefire terms, and respect its obligations under international law. He urged prompt, independent investigations into all alleged unlawful killings—especially those occurring since the 2024 ceasefire—guided by the Minnesota Protocol (2016) for investigating potentially unlawful deaths.

“Those who planned, ordered, or authorised unlawful strikes must be held to account,” he said. “Victims and their families have the right to truth, justice and full reparation.”

International Community Urged to Take Action

The Special Rapporteur encouraged the international community to exert meaningful pressure on Israel to honour the ceasefire, stop further attacks on Lebanese territory, and support mechanisms for impartial investigations.

“Renewed attacks and killings in Lebanon threaten fragile peace efforts and have devastating consequences for victims and their families,” Tidball-Binz warned. “It is imperative that global actors ensure respect for international law and help prevent further escalation.”

As tensions rise across the region, human rights advocates fear that continued violations could further destabilize Lebanon, exacerbate humanitarian suffering, and undo years of diplomatic efforts to maintain calm along the border.