Amnesty International: Israeli “evacuation” orders in Lebanon violate international law and constitute a war crime

LONDON, June 17 (YPA) – Amnesty International said on Wednesday that a new investigation has concluded that the Israeli military used mass “evacuation” orders and “no return” orders to unlawfully displace hundreds of thousands of people in Lebanon, in violation of international humanitarian law.

In a series of posts on its X platform, the organization added, “In parts of southern Lebanon, these orders were used to forcibly displace civilians and prevent their return, constituting unlawful transfer of civilians and thus a grave breach of the Fourth Geneva Convention and a war crime.”

The organization explained that “the Israeli army has dramatically intensified its use of mass ‘eviction’ orders—issuing them in 2026 at twice the rate of 2024, and covering much larger areas than the 2024 orders.”

It stated that “the map of the area covered by the ‘no return’ orders in 2026 significantly expanded the previously imposed restrictions, now covering almost 6% of the country’s territory.”

Amnesty International continued, “In 2025, we documented how the occupying army left behind a trail of deliberate destruction in southern Lebanon, including in areas that were subject to mass ‘eviction’ and ‘no return’ orders in 2024. This destruction expanded in 2026.”

The organization emphasized that “instead of forcibly uprooting communities and designating vast areas of Lebanese territory as no-go zones for civilians, Israeli forces must withdraw immediately from Lebanese territory.” The displaced must be able to return safely and freely to their homes.

Since March 2nd, the Israeli occupation has escalated its criminal aggression against Lebanon, targeting Lebanese towns, villages, cities, and civilian infrastructure, resulting in thousands of martyrs and wounded, and the displacement of approximately 1.5 million Lebanese citizens.

YPA