Israeli strikes on financial institution in Lebanon violate international humanitarian law: UN expert

GENEVA

Multiple Israeli bombings of a financial institution in Lebanon were illegal attacks on civilian objects under international humanitarian law, a UN special rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights said Wednesday.  

“International humanitarian law does not permit attacks on the economic or financial infrastructure of an adversary, even if they indirectly sustain its military activities,” Ben Saul, special rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights, said in a statement.

Noting Israel’s public warning in advance of its attack on offices associated with a specific financial institution, which Tel Aviv claims it finances the Hezbollah group, Saul said: “The purpose of this strike is to target the ability of Hezbollah’s economic function both during the war but also afterwards to rebuild and to rearm.”

“Bombing banks obliterates the distinction between civilian objects and military objectives which is fundamental to protecting civilians from violence. It opens the door to ‘total war’ against civilian populations, where fighting is no longer limited to attacking militarily dangerous targets,” the expert said. “Such attacks jeopardise the right to life.”

He warned that international counter-terrorism law does not authorize military attacks to prevent alleged terrorist financing or money laundering.

“Bombing banks is not a lawful solution to the challenges of financial crime and regulation,” he said.

He also urged an immediate cease-fire to preserve civilian lives and restore peace.

Israel has mounted a huge air campaign in Lebanon since last month against what it claims are Hezbollah targets in an escalation from a year of cross-border warfare between Israel and the group since the start of Israel’s brutal offensive on Gaza.

At least 2,546 people have been killed and more than 11,860 injured in Israeli attacks since October last year, according to Lebanese health authorities.

Israel expanded the conflict on Oct. 1 this year by launching a ground assault into southern Lebanon.

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