Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner
for Human Rights: Ravina Shamdasani
Location:
Geneva
Date: 6 March 2026
Subject:
Lebanon
Israel’s military ground incursions into
southern Lebanon, blanket displacement orders for the
population in Beirut’s southern suburbs, the Bekaa region
and the full area to the south of the Litani river, and its
continued airstrikes on different parts of the country, are
bringing more misery and suffering to an already weary
civilian population.
These warnings and displacement
orders issued for the south of Lebanon reportedly affected
more than 100 towns and villages – home to tens of
thousands of people, and risk affecting many more. In
addition, on Thursday, the Israeli army urged the complete
evacuation of almost the entire southern suburb of Beirut,
creating fear and panic among residents, as well as the
Bekaa region in eastern Lebanon.
In all, hundreds of
thousands have now been affected by these Israeli
displacement orders. Their breadth makes them very difficult
for the population to comply with and therefore brings into
question their effectiveness, a requirement under
international humanitarian law, and risks amounting to
prohibited forced displacement.
The devastating impact
of this renewed conflict is already before our eyes, with
civilians paying a painfully heavy price. In an Israeli
attack on 4 March, striking a residential building in
Baalbek, at least eight people, including three girls and
two women, were reportedly killed. Another strike on 5 March
hit a building in Nabatyeh district, reportedly killing a
family of four. Prompt and thorough investigations must be
conducted, particularly to determine whether such attacks
complied with the principles of distinction, proportionality
and precautions.
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Hezbollah has continued launching
barrages of rockets into Israel, striking residential areas
in the north and the centre of the country, with at least 3
people reportedly injured, raising concerns, once again,
about indiscriminate attacks against civilians.
We
urge the parties to step back from the brink of a major
escalation of this conflict in Lebanon. We call instead for
urgent de-escalation, compliance with their obligations
under Security Council resolution 1701 and faithful
application of the 2024 ceasefire arrangements. The
sovereignty of Lebanon and the human rights of its people
must be
respected.
