Bulletin No. 34

Nov 14

Written By University of Manchester LWOB Student Division

The Human Cost of War: Civilians in Lebanon Caught in Conflict

Introduction
Since late September 2024, Lebanon has been subjected to over a thousand Israeli airstrikes, with devastating consequences for its civilian population. As the conflict escalates, the toll on human life continues to rise, with hundreds killed and thousands
more displaced. This article highlights the immense suffering of civilians in Lebanon and examines the legal obligations of the warring parties under international law.

Casualties and Mass Displacement
According to the Lebanese Health Ministry, more than 558 civilians were killed in just one day of airstrikes by Israel, with 50 children and 94 women among the victims. These strikes also left over 1,835 people injured, severely damaged vital infrastructure such as hospitals and medical centers and destroyed homes and businesses. This wave of violence has resulted in the displacement of tens of thousands of civilians, many of whom were trapped for hours on overcrowded roads as they attempted to flee the south of Lebanon under constant bombardment.

As of September 30, reports indicate that more than 700,000 people have been displaced across the country. This mass displacement adds to the humanitarian crisis, straining Lebanon’s already vulnerable infrastructure, with many families left without access to basic necessities such as food, shelter, and medical care.

The Deadliest Day Since the Civil War
On September 23, Lebanon recorded its highest death toll since its 1975–1990 civil war, as hundreds of airstrikes rained down on densely populated areas across the country. Israeli forces have justified the attacks by claiming they are targeting Hezbollah, which they accuse of using civilian buildings to store weapons. However, human rights organisations and local officials have condemned the strikes for their disproportionate impact on civilians, many of whom received insufficient warnings to evacuate their homes safely.

In addition to the large number of casualties, the strikes have also destroyed hundreds of homes, businesses, and farms, leaving families destitute and without livelihoods. Some areas have become virtually uninhabitable due to the widespread
damage to essential services like electricity and water supply.

Legal Implications and Alleged Violations of International Law
Israel's military operations in Lebanon have raised significant legal concerns regarding the protection of civilians and compliance with international law. Although the Israeli military issued warnings urging civilians to evacuate buildings allegedly
storing Hezbollah weaponry, the effectiveness of these warnings has been widely questioned. Many civilians reported receiving prerecorded messages with insufficient time to flee safely. In particular, the chaotic evacuation of residents fleeing southern Lebanon, who were trapped on the only highway connecting the region to Beirut, further increased the risk of casualties. This raises doubts about whether the warnings met the requirement of being "effective advance warnings," as mandated under international humanitarian law.

International law, particularly the laws of war, demands that warring parties take all feasible precautions to protect civilians. These obligations include clearly distinguishing between civilian and military targets and ensuring that attacks do not disproportionately harm civilians relative to the anticipated military advantage. The widespread civilian casualties and destruction of essential infrastructure in Lebanon suggest that Israel’s operations may not have complied with these principles. Human rights organisations have condemned what they describe as indiscriminate attacks and raised concerns over the legality of targeting civilian infrastructure, such as homes and hospitals.

One particularly troubling aspect of the conflict has been the alleged weaponisation of communication devices, which reportedly exploded across Lebanon on September 17 and 18, killing at least 37 civilians, including children and medical workers. U.S. officials have indicated that Israel may be responsible for this tactic, which would violate the 1996 Protocol on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Mines, Booby-Traps, and Other Devices. Such actions, if verified, would represent a serious breach of international law and a disregard for civilian safety. Human Rights Watch has called for an independent international investigation to assess whether these actions constitute war crimes.

The principle of proportionality under international law is central to these discussions. Even if Hezbollah stores weapons in civilian areas, the law requires that military actions avoid causing excessive harm to civilians. Civilians who are unable to evacuate due to health, disability, or other constraints must still be protected, and forced displacement is permissible only for imperative military reasons. Sir Geoffrey Nice, a prominent British lawyer and international law expert, underscored that while
military objectives are legitimate, they must not come at the disproportionate cost of civilian life, further stressing the need for careful adherence to international legal standards in conflict zones.

International Response and Accountability
The international community, particularly the United Nations, has been urged to take action to address the escalating humanitarian crisis in Lebanon. Human Rights Watch has called for an independent inquiry into the hostilities, emphasising the need to hold accountable those responsible for violations of international law. In parallel, Lebanon has been encouraged to grant the International Criminal Court (ICC) jurisdiction to investigate grave crimes committed on its territory. However, the Lebanese government has refrained from taking this step, citing political and practical concerns.

Given the ongoing violence and the high risk of further civilian casualties, it is crucial for the international community to prioritise the protection of civilians and ensure that all parties to the conflict comply with their obligations under the laws of war.

Charity Spotlight
Islamic Relief has been working in Lebanon since 2006, supporting communities through war, displacement and the current crises. Since tensions escalated in the region last October, Islamic Relief has helped almost 30,000 people affected by the
crisis with food parcels, hygiene kits, blankets and mattresses, and has provided thousands of items of medical supplies for hospitals and primary healthcare clinics. Islamic Relief Lebanon is currently supporting displaced families and local host
communities in Nabatieh, Tyre, Bekaa and Balbek, where most of the recently displaced people have been seeking refuge.

Learn more about their work here.
To donate click here.

Internal Opportunities
Check out the University’s conflict and humanitarian disaster website for more information on resources and how you can help:
https://www.manchester.ac.uk/discover/conflict-support/

For all those who are deeply affected by this dreadful situation or anyone who might have experienced any hate or discrimination, it is worthwhile to check out the support resources available to you. Remember, violence is never the
answer and bullying should never be tolerated.