“Okeil”: Israeli occupation forces continue their blatant violations of the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precautions under IHL
Maat for Peace, Development and Human Rights Association strongly condemns the Israeli occupation authorities’ execution of the “Eternal Darkness” operation, carried out through a wave of airstrikes on Lebanon on April 8, 2026. Approximately 50 fighter jets targeted more than 100 sites in central Beirut and its densely populated residential and commercial neighborhoods, as well as southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley. The attacks have so far resulted in the killing of at least 89 people and the injury of more than 700 others.
Maat Association affirms that this step represents a continuation of policies of brutal aggression and a consolidation of grave violations of international humanitarian law committed by the Israeli occupation authorities against Lebanon. These violations include the continued targeting of civilians and civilian objects in recent weeks, following the killing of more than 1,530 Lebanese citizens, the injury of thousands more, the destruction of bridges and entire residential areas, and the forced displacement of more than 1.2 million people since the launch of a series of indiscriminate military attacks on Lebanon on March 2, 2026.
In this context, international human rights expert Ayman Okeil, chairman of Maat Association, stated that Israeli occupation forces have repeatedly demonstrated complete disregard for civilian lives, flagrantly and systematically violating IHL. The military attacks carried out were not directed at specific military objectives and may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Okeil stressed that this constitutes a blatant disregard for IHL and a direct violation of Article 48 of Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions, which clearly establishes the principle of distinction between military objectives and civilian objects. This principle does not apply to strikes that targeted densely populated urban areas in central Beirut without evidence of exclusive military objectives at each location, rendering the new Israeli operation an unlawful attack against a civilian population under indirect occupation.
He further added that the operation represents an indiscriminate and disproportionate attack, as it was effectively carried out against densely populated residential and commercial areas in Beirut, Sidon, and Tyre, while failing to take any precautions to minimize civilian harm. He pointed to the disregard of fundamental procedural safeguards stipulated in Articles 51 and 57 of Additional Protocol I, such as the failure to provide effective advance warning and the failure to choose means and methods that would minimize civilian casualties. The airstrikes were conducted within just 10 minutes using 160 munitions, resulting in massive destruction and fires in the streets.
The international human rights activist also noted that the Lebanese people are no longer in need of repeated statements of regret from actors within the international community regarding acts of genocide and crimes against humanity committed by Israeli occupation forces on their territory. Rather, they need an end to the unconditional and unlimited support provided to the leaders of the Israeli occupation forces, which encourages the continuation of such crimes and shields perpetrators from accountability.
shortlink: https://safearabregion.org/en/?p=46002
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