UN Rights Chief Condemns Israeli Strikes In Lebanon As 'Horrific'

GENEVA, April 9 (Bernama-dpa) -- UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk condemned Israel's heavy airstrikes in Lebanon, saying the scale of killings and destruction was "nothing short of horrific."

"Such carnage, within hours of agreeing to a ceasefire with Iran, defies belief. It places enormous pressure on a fragile peace, which is so desperately needed by civilians," the Austrian diplomat said in a statement published on Wednesday, reported German news agency dpa.

Despite the truce in the Iran war, Israel's air force launched a large-scale attack on targets in Lebanon, including in the capital Beirut. More than 180 people were killed and hundreds wounded, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.

The Israeli military said the strikes targeted the Iran-aligned Hezbollah militia. Hezbollah said the attacks had struck civilians across Lebanon.

"International humanitarian law spells out clearly that civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected," Türk said. "These principles are non-negotiable, and must always be respected, whatever the circumstances of armed conflict."

He called for immediate independent investigations and urged the international community to act swiftly, warning that efforts for peace in the region would remain incomplete as long as the Lebanese population continues to face bombardment, displacement and fear of further attacks.

--BERNAMA-SPUTNIK/RIA NOVOSTI