Israel Orders Mass Evacuations in Lebanon; Ceasefire Fails to Stop Killings

Israeli forces have ordered all residents of the southern Lebanese city of Tyre and surrounding areas to leave their homes, despite a ceasefire declared with Hezbollah on April 17. The orders, issued on June 7 and June 9, follow earlier evacuation demands affecting more than 34,000 families in Lebanon’s South and Nabatieh Governorates, and 50,000 families in Beirut’s southern suburbs. On May 27, the Israeli military declared nearly 14 percent of Lebanon’s territory—the entire area south of the Zahrani River—a “combat zone,” ordering residents to leave. Around one million people remain displaced in Lebanon today. These forced evacuations may amount to war crimes of forced displacement, according to international law experts. Since hostilities escalated on March 2, Israeli attacks have killed at least 3,711 people in Lebanon, including 132 health workers and 247 children, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry. More than a third of those deaths—1,417 people—occurred after the April 17 ceasefire. This includes 32 health workers and at least 70 children. On average, Israeli forces have killed more than one child every day since the ceasefire began. Since October 7, 2023, Israeli forces have committed numerous violations of the laws of war in Lebanon with total impunity, according to human rights groups. These include apparently deliberate or indiscriminate attacks on journalists, civilians, medics, financial institutions, reconstruction facilities, and peacekeepers, as well as the widespread use of white phosphorus in populated areas. To protect civilians, urgent action is needed. Israel’s allies should immediately halt arms sales, arms transit, and military assistance to Israel. They should also suspend trade deals, including the EU-Israel Association Agreement, and adopt targeted sanctions against Israeli officials credibly implicated in ongoing abuses. Pathways for accountability should also be opened. Lebanon’s government should ratify the Rome Statute and file a declaration granting the International Criminal Court jurisdiction to investigate crimes committed in Lebanon since October 2023. Lebanon’s parliament should also pass a law criminalizing war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide, in line with international standards. Unless Israel’s impunity ends, more unlawful bloodshed will continue.