Five human rights organizations have called on the Lebanese government to take immediate action to secure justice for victims of abuses stemming from the ongoing conflict with Israel, a year after the stipulated deadline for Israeli troop withdrawal from southern Lebanon. Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Legal Agenda, the Union of Journalists in Lebanon, and Reporters Without Borders jointly issued an open letter to Lebanon’s Justice Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, who heads the National Committee for International Humanitarian Law.
The organizations cite continued Israeli attacks and widespread infrastructure damage as obstacles to the return of tens of thousands of displaced people and the rebuilding of their lives. Since the ceasefire agreement, over 380 people have been killed, including at least 127 civilians, according to the groups. Israeli forces remain in parts of Lebanese territory and continue to destroy civilian structures along the border.
The letter accuses the Lebanese government of inaction, stating it has ignored legal avenues available to it, including domestic investigations and accepting the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC) over international crimes committed in Lebanon. The organizations urge the government to act on these options “as a matter of urgency.”
The groups demand Israel allow the safe return of displaced Lebanese citizens and provide “full, effective and adequate reparations” for violations of international humanitarian and human rights law. They also call on other nations, particularly the United States, to suspend arms transfers to Israel, citing the risk of these weapons being used to commit further violations.
A key recommendation is for Lebanon to file a declaration with the ICC, accepting the court’s jurisdiction under Article 12(3) of the Rome Statute to investigate crimes committed on Lebanese territory since October 7, 2023. The letter also suggests considering ratification of the Rome Statute itself. The organizations advocate for the establishment of prompt, thorough, independent, and impartial domestic judicial investigations into war crimes, supported by a law criminalizing such acts.
To aid in documenting the extent of the harm, the groups propose establishing a registrar to record all killings, injuries, and damages to civilians. They also recommend inviting the United Nations special rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence to visit Lebanon and recommend measures for upholding victims’ rights.
The ceasefire deal between Lebanon and Israel, which came into effect in November 2024, stipulated a 60-day withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon. However, Israel announced in February 2025 its intention to maintain a military presence in five “strategic” vantage points. Israel’s defense minister subsequently stated that forces would “stay indefinitely” in a border buffer zone, linking any troop reduction to the disarmament of Hezbollah.
Previous reports from Lebanese and international rights groups have documented the devastating impact of hostilities on civilians, including the use of white phosphorus by the Israeli military, indiscriminate attacks targeting electronic devices, and attacks on journalists, health facilities, and ambulances. Reports also cite unlawful airstrikes against civilians and civilian objects, as well as ongoing destruction of Lebanese border villages. Hezbollah’s firing of unguided rockets into populated civilian areas in Israel has also been documented.
According to a 2008 Pew Research Center survey, negative views concerning Jews were most prevalent in Lebanon, with 97% of Lebanese holding unfavorable opinions. A 2011 Pew survey indicated only 3% of Lebanese reported having a positive view of Jews. Israeli law enforcement treats Lebanon as an “enemy state,” and individuals with Israeli stamps or visas in their passports are prohibited from entering Lebanon and may face arrest.
