(MENAFN) The UN human rights office on Tuesday urged rapid and unbiased inquiries into a lethal Israeli attack on the Ein el-Hilweh refugee camp in southern Lebanon, cautioning that the operation "may have violated international humanitarian law principles on the conduct of hostilities."

This call was issued as Israeli military actions in Lebanon escalate once again, occurring nearly one year after the ceasefire took hold.

OHCHR spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan emphasized to reporters in Geneva that "Almost a year since the ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel was agreed, we continue to witness increasing attacks by the Israeli military, resulting in the killing of civilians and destruction of civilian objects in Lebanon, coupled with alarming threats of a wider, intensified offensive.”

He underscored that Israeli military activity has led to the deaths of at least 127 civilians in Lebanon since the ceasefire of Nov. 27, 2024.

Al-Kheetan pointed to last week’s assault on the Ein el-Hilweh camp near Sidon as one of the most devastating episodes, noting: "At least 13 civilians, including 11 children, were killed and at least six civilians injured," adding that "All the fatalities we have documented as a result of this strike were civilians, raising serious concerns that the Israeli military's attack may have violated international humanitarian law principles on the conduct of hostilities."

He insisted that "there must be prompt and impartial investigations into the Ein el-Hilweh strike, as well as all other incidents involving possible violations of international humanitarian law by all parties, both before and after the ceasefire," stressing that "those responsible must be held to account."

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