Lebanon and northern Israel: ICRC appeals for civilians to be spared and respect for civilian infrastructure

Geneva (ICRC)  - The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is seriously concerned by the recent attacks on Lebanon and northern Israel which have affected civilians on both sides.

The ICRC deplores the death of two Lebanese civilians and that dozens of Israelis and Lebanese have been wounded, according to various reports. Considerable damage has been inflicted on civilian houses and infrastructure in Lebanon. Electrical power plants have been struck, which has caused blackouts in parts of the country including the capital, Beirut. In northern Israel, civilian homes were damaged as a result of indiscriminate shelling on civilian areas.

The ICRC reminds the parties of their duty under international humanitarian law, which is absolute and unconditional. In the conduct of military operations, constant care must be taken to spare the civilian population, civilians and civilian objects. Military operations must be directed only against military objectives, more precisely at targets that effectively contribute to military action and whose destruction or neutralization offers a definite military advantage. Attacks causing disproportionate incidental harm to civilians and damage to civilian property are also prohibited.

The ICRC will continue to carry out its humanitarian mission in favour of all the civilian victims of the attacks.