Lebanon has accused Israel of violating fundamental principles of international humanitarian law (IHL), including committing war crimes on Lebanese territory.

“We are documenting every violation of international humanitarian law to the best of our ability. In my view, there is no doubt that Israel is committing war crimes and breaching the Geneva Conventions — starting with two basic principles of IHL: the distinction between combatants and civilians and the principle of proportionality. Israel observes neither of these,” Lebanese Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri said in an interview with Sky News.

Mitri described one of the most alarming statements as the threat issued by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, leader of the far-right Religious Zionism party, who warned that the southern suburb of Beirut, Dahiyeh — Hezbollah’s stronghold — could soon share the fate of Khan Younis in southern Gaza, which was left in ruins after extensive Israeli bombardments. “He said it loudly and clearly,” Mitri noted.

According to Lebanon’s government emergency headquarters, the total number of civilian deaths since the start of the military escalation has reached 1,116, with 3,229 wounded. “Among the victims of Israeli attacks are 120 children and 81 women,” the center reported on March 26. According to the Lebanese Interior Ministry, 1,049,328 people have been displaced from conflict zones to Beirut and northern regions of the country.