Lebanon: Israeli strikes ‘could amount to international crimes,’ warns Türk

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk expressed concern about ongoing displacement and destruction caused by Israeli strikes against Lebanon as he concluded a two-day visit to the country on Monday.Lebanon faces crises including delayed elections, economic collapse and conflict. More than 4,300 people have been killed and 12,200 more have been injured in Lebanon since Iran-backed Hezbollah militants joined the regional war triggered by US-Israeli attacks on 2 March, according to national authorities.“I am concerned that the overall conduct resulting in large scale displacement and denial of returns could amount to international crimes,” Mr. Türk said at a press conference in the capital Beirut on Monday.Seeing displacement up closeWhile in Lebanon, Mr. Türk met representatives from the Lebanese Government, civil society groups, national human rights mechanisms and people who were forced to flee their homes because of the conflict.Despite a 17 April conditional ceasefire agreed by Israel and the Lebanese Government reached via US-led talks, Israel has continued to conduct airstrikes and use explosive weapons in densely populated areas while Hezbollah has likewise continued fighting, lea...