Israeli aggression on Lebanon continue to claim civilian lives and destroy infrastructure, violating a ceasefire agreement signed on November 27, 2024, according to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

Speaking to reporters in Geneva on Tuesday, OHCHR spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan raised alarms over the ongoing violence.

Since the ceasefire, at least 71 civilians, including 14 women and 9 children, have been killed, with 92,000 people remaining displaced, Al-Kheetan reported. “Israeli military operations in Lebanon continue to kill and injure civilians, and destroy civilian infrastructure, raising concerns regarding the protection of civilians,” he said.

The UN official called for urgent investigations into all civilian deaths, stressing accountability. “Each and every military action where civilians are killed must be investigated,” Al-Kheetan urged. He also warned that further escalation could destabilize Lebanon, Israel, and the wider region, adding, “The ceasefire must hold.”

The strikes, primarily in southern Lebanon, have sparked growing international concern, with rights groups urging compliance with international law to protect vulnerable communities. No official response has been issued by Israeli authorities regarding the UN’s demands for investigations.

The violence threatens Lebanon’s fragile post-conflict recovery and exacerbates the humanitarian crisis, as aid organizations call for renewed efforts to uphold the ceasefire. (ILKHA)