Lebanon: UN warns of terrifying rise in Middle East as ‘communication tools become weapons’
Rosemary DiCarlo, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, speak ambassador in Security Councilthat the attacks and gunfights across the Blue Line, which have been going on for nearly a year, “have expanded in scope and intensity.”
In some cases, they have pushed deeper into Lebanese and Israeli territory, displacing tens of thousands of people on both sides and causing numerous casualties, including civilians.
Significant damage was also reported to homes, civilian infrastructure and agricultural land on both sides of the Green Line, the border separating the Israeli and Lebanese armed forces.
“The risk of further expansion of this cycle of violence is extremely serious and poses a serious threat to the stability of Lebanon, Israel and the entire region.“, she warned.
She called on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and protect civilians, and called on influential member states to act decisively to prevent further escalation.
Click here to United Nations News live report of the meeting.
Shock and profound panic
Ms. DiCarlo also cited simultaneous communications equipment explosions across Lebanon on September 17 and a second, smaller but deadly explosion the following day involving two-way handheld radios in the same area.
She said the devices exploded in homes, cars, supermarkets and streets, while Lebanese health authorities reported that 37 people were killed, including two children, and more than 3,400 were injured in the successive blasts.
“Medical professionals and hospitals are working around the clock to help the injured. Lebanese society – young and old – is in a state of deep shock and panic.”
Ms. DiCarlo also noted the condemnation expressed by Lebanon’s interim Prime Minister Najib Mikati. Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah and Iran also responded to the explosions, blaming Israel.
“So far, the Israeli government has not made any official comment on these developments,” she added.
Attacking cannot be the new normal
Also briefing the Security Council, Volker Türk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, added provide further context by addressing the human rights and humanitarian law concerns arising from these attacks.
“These attacks represent a new development in warfare, where communication tools become weapons, simultaneously exploding across marketplaces, on street corners and in homes as daily life goes on.“, he said.
Authorities are also said to have dismantled unexploded devices at universities, banks and hospitals.
He added that the attacks “have caused widespread fear and panic” among Lebanese people, who have been suffering from an increasingly unstable situation since October 2023 and a severe and prolonged economic crisis.
“This cannot be the new normal.”
Even war has rules
Mr. Türk went on to note that even war must follow rules to protect human rights and dignity as well as protect social values.
He stressed that simultaneously targeting thousands of individuals, whether civilians or members of armed groups, without knowing who holds the targeting devices, their location or the surrounding environment, is a violation of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.
“International humanitarian law prohibits the use of booby traps in the form of seemingly harmless handheld objects. “It is specially designed and built to contain explosives,” he said.
“The commission of acts of violence intended to instill terror in civilians is a war crime.”
Call for independent investigation
The High Commissioner reiterated his call for an independent, comprehensive and transparent investigation into the circumstances of these explosions.
“Those who ordered and carried out these attacks must be held accountable,” he said.
“Let me be clear – this method of warfare may be new and strange. But international humanitarian law and human rights apply regardless and must be upheld.”
