Amnesty International has urged an investigation into Israel’s military actions during conflicts with Hezbollah, citing attacks on health services as potential war crimes. The Lebanese government is encouraged to empower the ICC to prosecute these offenses. Additionally, South Africa has condemned Israel for allegedly using starvation as a weapon in Gaza and has initiated legal action at the ICJ against the nation regarding violations of international law.
Amnesty International has called for an investigation into Israel’s military actions during its recent conflict with Hezbollah, asserting that attacks on health facilities, ambulances, and medical personnel should be classified as war crimes. The organization urged the Lebanese government to grant the International Criminal Court (ICC) authority to prosecute crimes occurring on Lebanese territory, thereby safeguarding victims’ rights to remedy following the turmoil.
Throughout the recent hostilities, the Israeli military claimed that Hezbollah was utilizing ambulances for combat purposes, a statement that has been refuted by the group. Amnesty highlighted that their investigation uncovered multiple unlawful Israeli attacks, emphasizing that these violations must be examined under international law. During the conflict, significant assaults on health facilities in Lebanon resulted in numerous civilian casualties and fatalities among medical staff.
Reports from Lebanon indicate that over 4,000 individuals lost their lives amid the clashes, with the toll amplifying through extensive damage to infrastructure. The estimated cost of reconstruction is projected to exceed $10 billion. Amnesty’s findings suggest that recent attacks did not have valid military justifications, thereby exacerbating the already fragile healthcare system and imperiling lives.
In a parallel situation, South Africa condemned Israel’s restrictions on aid to Gaza, describing it as a tactic of starvation employed in warfare. The South African foreign ministry criticized the blocking of food provisions as part of an ongoing humanitarian crisis, expressing concerns over the suffering experienced by the people of Gaza.
Moreover, South Africa recently initiated a case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), contending that Israel’s actions in Gaza possibly constitute violations of the 1948 UN Genocide Convention. This accusation has been categorically denied by Israel. The South African government has also condemned an escalation of conflict in the occupied West Bank and warned that such actions threaten Palestinian self-determination and statehood.
In summary, Amnesty International has highlighted serious allegations against Israel concerning its military actions against health workers and facilities during its conflict with Hezbollah, urging a thorough investigation into these potential war crimes. Concurrently, South Africa has voiced strong concerns regarding humanitarian conditions in Gaza and initiated legal proceedings at the ICJ, calling global attention to the ongoing conflict and its broader implications for peace and justice in the region.
Original Source: www.dawn.com
