Israeli air strikes in southern Lebanon displace thousands and prompt UN investigation

Intense Israeli air strikes across southern Lebanon on Wednesday killed at least 16 people, including civilians in Tayr Debba, Deir Qanoun en‑Nahr, Tyre and Deir ez‑Zahrani. Israel says it warned residents, but on‑the‑ground reports and United Nations high‑commissioner for human rights Volker Turk say many civilians could not evacuate safely. Turk announced that an UN investigative team will be deployed next week to examine possible violations of international and human‑rights law by all parties.

The International Rescue Committee warns that the attacks have forced more than 1.3 million Lebanese—about a quarter of the population—to flee repeatedly, overwhelming emergency shelters in Tyre, Sidon, Beirut and the mountains. Families are lacking food, clean water, hygiene supplies and medication, and many are sleeping in public squares or on the streets. The IRC urges all sides to protect civilians and keep humanitarian access open, warning that further restrictions could trigger a catastrophic humanitarian collapse.