Amnesty International on Friday called for an international investigation into simultaneous explosions across Lebanon and Syria that have caused widespread outrage. The explosions, which occurred on September 17 and 18, claimed the lives of at least 37 individuals, including 12 civilians, and injured over 2,931 people. The rights organization emphasized that employing explosive devices in civilian areas constitutes an indiscriminate attack, violating international humanitarian law.
Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for the Middle East, Aya Majzoub, described the attack as a “flagrant disregard for the right to life,” and pressed for an immediate international investigation to ensure accountability. The explosions were reportedly triggered by booby-trapped pagers and walkie-talkies allegedly sold to Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group, by a shell company linked to Israeli intelligence services.
In response to the explosions, the United Nations and several human rights organizations have also condemned the violations of international law. United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk called the mass explosions a breach of international human rights and humanitarian law. He noted that targeting individuals indiscriminately, without knowledge of who possessed the devices, was a flagrant violation and urged for an independent and transparent investigation.
The UN Security Council convened an emergency session to discuss the explosions’ implications, stressing the importance of civilian protection and the necessity of an independent investigation. The incident has further heightened tensions in an already volatile region, with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant declaring a “new era of war” with Lebanon. The Lebanese population, already enduring significant economic hardships and ongoing conflicts, has been severely impacted, with many citizens now too frightened to use electronic devices.