UN eyeing potential Israeli war crimes in Lebanon | Israel attacks Lebanon News
High Commissioner Turk Addresses Human Rights Violations in Lebanon
By Hala Al-Shami
Published July 27, 2026
BEIRUT — United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk has condemned Israel for committing extensive violations of human rights in Lebanon, which he suggested may qualify as war crimes.
During a visit to Lebanon on Monday, Turk reported that his office has documented breaches of international law, urging the Israeli military to halt consistent shelling and demolitions in southern Lebanon.
“I am struck by the widespread damage and compounded suffering that I have seen,” Turk stated. “The trauma, frustration, and despair are palpable – but so too is the demand for justice.”
Despite a ceasefire established in April, Turk noted that Israeli military actions continue to kill and injure civilians in Lebanon through ongoing airstrikes and ground operations.
While visiting a school that has been transformed into a shelter for approximately 1,000 displaced individuals, he described some of the military’s actions as potentially constituting war crimes.
“This is the second or third cycle of displacement for many. Some told me they attempted to return home last week, only to discover that their villages have been destroyed,” he said.
In an interview with Al Jazeera later that day, Turk expressed concern over the pervasive sense of exhaustion and despair among the affected population.
When asked about the impact of Israeli violence on UN personnel, he remarked, “In my 35 years with the United Nations, I never imagined we would reach a point where our colleagues in Gaza, Lebanon, and Yemen are killed repeatedly in ways that are truly unfathomable.”
Turk emphasized the need to document instances of violence and hold those responsible accountable. “I do believe that the majority of people around the world care about our work and the truth emerging,” he said.
He reiterated, “Nobody is above international law, and there are no exceptions to it.”
