The use of “booby-trapped” devices that appear to be “harmless” objects could constitute a “war crime”, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, denounced on Friday before the Security Council, where Lebanon accused Israel of “terrorism”.
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“International humanitarian law prohibits the use of booby-trapped devices that appear to be harmless objects,” Volker Türk said at a meeting requested by Algeria following the simultaneous explosion this week of Hezbollah pagers, walkie-talkies and other transmission devices in Lebanon.
“It is a war crime to commit violence intended to spread terror among civilians,” he added.
“War has rules,” he insisted, repeating his demand for an “independent, rigorous and transparent” investigation.
“Targeting thousands of individuals simultaneously, whether civilians or members of armed groups, without knowing who is in possession of the devices concerned, their location and their environment at the time of the attack, violates international humanitarian law and, where applicable, international humanitarian law,” he insisted.
“It is therefore difficult to conceive how, in these circumstances, such attacks could be consistent with the key principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution.”
“These attacks represent a new development in warfare, where communication devices become weapons (…). This cannot be the new normal,” he said.
“Terrorism”
Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib, who made the trip, directly attacked Israel, calling it a “rogue state.”
“Remotely detonating communications devices in a mass manner, without any regard for those who carry them or who are around them, is a method of warfare unprecedented in its brutality and terror, targeting thousands of people of different ages going about their business in their homes, on the streets, at work, in shopping malls, is simply terrorism,” he said.
“Instead of blaming us, your peaceful neighbor, you should take action now” against Hezbollah, Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon responded.
“If you continue to ignore Hezbollah’s aggression, you will be responsible for the suffering of the Lebanese people,” he added, assuring that Israel did not want a “wider conflict,” but only to “protect” its citizens.
Asked by the press about Israel’s possible responsibility for the pager attacks, he said he did not want to comment. “But I can tell you that we will do everything we can to target these terrorists,” he added.
Before the meeting, the spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General called on all parties to exercise “maximum restraint”.
“We are very concerned about the escalation around the Blue Line (the UN-defined demarcation line between Lebanon and Israel), including the deadly strike today in Beirut. We urge all parties to de-escalate immediately. Everyone must exercise maximum restraint,” said Stephane Dujarric.
Following the explosions on Tuesday and Wednesday of transmission devices used by Hezbollah members, which left 37 dead and 2,931 injured, the exchange of fire has intensified since Thursday between the Israeli army and Hezbollah, an Islamist movement supported by Iran.
