Published on September 22, 2024, 12:29 am

In a controversial statement, Volker Türk, the U.N. high commissioner for human rights, has accused Israel of contravening international human rights and humanitarian laws over the course of recent hostilities. The dispute relates to devices produced by Israeli militants purportedly used in attacks against Hezbollah forces.

Türk asserts that Israel’s methods of conflict do not satisfy key principles in international humanitarian law pertaining to the differentiation between civilians and combatants, proportionality, and caution. His criticism insinuates that Israel did not adhere to ‘fair play’ during what has been dubbed as the pager assaults conducted using explosives-laden electronic devices accredited to Hezbollah. He argues that these systems should be equally implemented regardless of whether the warfare method is new or unfamiliar.

Israel’s rebuttal remained defiant with Lebanon’s Foreign Minister Abdallah Bouhabib castigating them towards exploiting terror tactics on Lebanon’s populace during a Security Council gathering. Bouhabib stressed that some form of official acknowledgment in a now-deleted tweet emanating from Topaz Luke, an adviser to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirms Israel’s culpability in launching these attacks.

In response to Bouhabib’s accusations, Danny Danon, Israel’s Ambassador at the U.N., pointed out that blame squarely lies on Hezbollah and its stranglehold over Lebanon’s citizens, declaring readiness from their part to prevent further provocations even if adopting such strategy meant inciting wider conflict.

U.N.’s political chief Rosemary DiCarlo sounded caution against escalating conflicts along border regions expressing concerns over bloodshed extending for more than 11 months in Gaza region besides close combat situations across borders between Israel and Lebanon.

DiCarlo petitioned for utmost restraint from all involved parties while emphasizing influence-wielding nations to actively intervene at this critical juncture potentially risking regional peace and stability. Despite enforcing international laws being its primary objective, doubts are being raised around U.N.’s relevancy amidst its inability to douse two of the planet’s major conflicts.

Amidst these trying times, countries such as Israel and Ukraine find themselves battling for their very existence which brings into question the applicability or relevancy of preset ‘rules’ governing international relationships and warfare tactics. Faced with survival threats, these countries may have to resort to whatever means are necessary, regardless of implications involving compliance with universal norms.

Indeed, in the era of breaking news where real news and the trusted news both need critical evaluation, discerning trustworthy sources and attributing proper perspective becomes imperative. In this case too, all parties voice their Christian worldview on rights and wrongs but eventually what matters is if peace can be achieved while preserving human life.