The United Nations Human Rights chief says Israeli military operations in Lebanon may constitute war crimes, as the toll of civilian deaths and displacement continues to mount.
Volker Turk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, concluded a two-day visit to Lebanon on Monday with a blunt assessment. He accused Israel of committing large-scale violations of human rights that could amount to international crimes, according to a statement from his office.
The numbers paint a clear picture. Since the escalation of hostilities on March 2, 2026, more than 4,300 people have been killed by Israeli strikes in Lebanon, including at least 392 women and 253 children. More than 12,000 have been injured. An estimated 620,000 women and girls have been displaced, including around 16,000 pregnant women, many giving birth without adequate medical care.
Turk said Israeli forces have issued displacement orders covering roughly 14 percent of Lebanon, including areas south of the Zahrani river, most of Beirut’s southern suburbs, and parts of the Beqaa valley. UN experts noted these orders were reminiscent of those used by Israel in Gaza against the civilian population.
The UN also voiced alarm over the use of white phosphorus munitions in residential areas. White phosphorus causes severe burns and respiratory injuries, and its use in populated areas is prohibited under international humanitarian law when the attacker cannot ensure discrimination between military and civilian targets.
In a separate report on July 22, UN experts denounced systematic and widespread violations of international law during Israel’s war on Lebanon. They warned that Israel’s military actions constituted a violation of international humanitarian law and its principles of distinction, proportionality and precautions in attack.
Israel maintains that its operations target Hezbollah positions and that it takes precautions to avoid civilian harm. But UN investigators have documented attacks on residential buildings that killed entire families, strikes near hospitals and ambulances, and the demolition of homes and shops in villages near the southern border.
Israel’s ground incursion into southern Lebanon has also drawn scrutiny. Turkish officials have made statements indicating an intention to hold territory, and UN experts said the occupation and house demolitions may themselves violate international law.
The international community has struggled to respond. The UN Security Council has been unable to pass resolutions on the conflict due to the US veto. But the OHCHR has called for prompt, independent investigations into all alleged violations and for those responsible to be brought to justice.