Israeli forces kill more than 70 civilians in Lebanon, UN says
Israeli forces have killed over 70 civilians in Lebanon since a ceasefire started on November 27th, including 14 women and nine children, the United Nations said, Middle East Eye reported on April 15th.
Thameen Al-Kheetan, spokesperson for the UN Office for the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), confirmed the figures during a briefing in Geneva. “According to our initial review, at least 71 civilians have been killed by Israeli forces in Lebanon since the ceasefire came into effect,” Al-Kheetan said. “Among the victims are 14 women and nine children,” he added, urging an immediate end to the violence.
OHCHR also raised the alarm over recent Israeli attacks on civilian infrastructure, according to Al Jazeera on April 15th. It mentioned an April 3rd strike that destroyed a newly set up medical centre run by the Islamic Health Society in Naqoura.
According to the Israeli army, militants have launched at least five rockets, two mortars, and one drone from Lebanon towards northern Israel. Tens of thousands of Israelis remain displaced from the north.
“The ceasefire must hold, and any escalation is a risk for stability in general in Lebanon, Israel and the whole region,” Al-Kheetan said.
Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health said that an Israeli drone strike on a car in the town of Aitaroun killed one individual and injured three. Israel’s military claimed the airstrike killed “a squad commander in [Hezbollah’s] special operations unit.”
Israel has continued to launch strikes on Lebanon, including in the capital of Beirut, despite the ceasefire.
Middle East Eye, Al Jazeera
