Lebanon-Israel Deal Blocks War Crimes Justice, Rights Groups Warn

(BEIRUT) – A new agreement between Lebanon and Israel threatens to deny justice to victims of war crimes, six human rights and press freedom organizations said Thursday. The framework agreement, signed in Washington on June 26, 2026, includes clauses that appear to block victims from seeking justice in international courts. It also seems to accept the indefinite displacement of tens of thousands of people from southern Lebanon, currently occupied by Israeli forces. Clause 13 commits both governments to stop "all hostile or adverse actions in international political or legal fora." If this prevents Lebanon or Israel from using the International Criminal Court (ICC) or the International Court of Justice (ICJ), it would violate their legal duty to pursue accountability for serious crimes, the groups said. Clause 3 ties the return of displaced residents to the "successful disarmament of non-state armed groups." Under international law, people must be allowed to return home once hostilities end. "Victims of war crimes and other violations deserve justice," said Agnès Callamard, secretary general of Amnesty International. "Any agreement that fails to center their rights will falter." Since 2023, rights groups have documented repeated Israeli military violations in Lebanon, including apparent direct attacks on civilians, medical workers, and journalists. They also documented Hezbollah's firing of unguided rockets into northern Israel, killing civilians. More than 8,700 people have been killed in Lebanon since October 2023, including at least 569 children. Israeli attacks have also killed at least 32 civilians in Israel. Hundreds of thousands remain displaced. The agreement makes no mention of justice or reparations for victims. "Accountability and respect for international law are not bargaining chips," said Ghida Frangieh of Legal Agenda. "There cannot be peace without justice."