Beirut: A group of UN experts on Thursday called on Israeli Occupation forces to fully comply with the ceasefire agreement, immediately halt its attacks on civilians, and complete its full withdrawal from South Lebanon. "We are gravely concerned about the continuing toll on civilians in Lebanon. Within 60 days of the ceasefire coming into force, at least 57 civilians have been killed and 260 properties have been destroyed," the experts said in a statement issued from Geneva.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the experts also expressed concern over unexploded ordnance, the use of white phosphorus munitions, and the indiscriminate practice of booby-trapping homes, which have rendered entire residential areas and farmlands unsafe for those who wish to return, even after the end of the Israeli aggression on Lebanon. The experts condemned the ongoing targeting of civilians and the widespread destruction of homes and infrastructure.
"The ceasefire agreement, which came into effect on 27 November 2024, required Israeli troops to fully withdraw from South Lebanon within 60 days. However, Israeli forces have remained in the area, continuing to target civilians, demolish housing, and destroy crops and infrastructure with tanks, bulldozers, and heavy weaponry," they stated.
According to the experts, when the initial deadline for the withdrawal of Israeli armed forces from Lebanon expired on January 26, 2025, Lebanese civilians trying to return to their homes in towns and villages that were still occupied were met with gunfire from Israeli soldiers, resulting in 24 persons being killed and 120 injured. They reported that even after a new deadline for the full withdrawal of Israeli forces was set for 18 February 2025, at least two more civilians were killed and 80 injured in just four days.
The experts warned of a worsening humanitarian crisis due to repeated Israeli attacks, which have prevented displaced persons from returning safely and hindered efforts to find lasting solutions to displacement. They called for an immediate end to these violations.
The experts emphasized that in addition to the absolute and non-derogable prohibition of unlawful killings as a peremptory norm of international law, the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement prohibit the killing of displaced persons and the destruction of any property they have left behind. Stressing the right of displaced persons to voluntarily return to their homes and lands in safety and dignity.