Security Council holds emergency session over Lebanon

Aftermath of an Israeli strike in Lebanon on Friday 20 Sept 2024. UN News

20 September 2024 - The Security Council met in emergency session on Friday following Israeli strikes on the Lebanese capital Beirut and in the south, which have left at least a dozen dead. It comes amid an uptick in cross-border fire between Hezbollah and Israeli forces - and two days of deadly wireless device explosions targeting members of the militant group. UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric warned the region now stands "on the brink of a catastrophe." UN News app users can go here for a recap of live coverage. 

Syria: Israel uses modern technology to commit collective murder

Syrian Ambassador Koussay Aldahhak, speaking on behalf of the Arab Group, said the devastating recent attacks were deployed without any regard to international law or to humanity.

"What is new is using modern technology to commit collective murder of civilians...transforming civilian objects into ticking time bombs," he said.

The Arab Group demands the Council condemns this cyberterrorism and Israel's aggressions against the Palestinian people in Gaza and attacks on other countries, including Syria.

"We demand the Security Council meet its responsibilities" to, among other things, end the Israeli occupation of Arab lands, he said.

In his national capacity, he said Syria condemns the aggression and ongoing terrorism against the Lebanese people. Reaffirming his delegation's solidarity with Lebanon, he called on the international community to take action.

Iran will take ‘all necessary measures’ following attack on ambassador

Iran’s Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani said Israel was clearly responsible for a “systematic and provocative act of terror” in the streets of Beirut and other parts of Lebanon.

He said the attacks were a clear act of terrorism and a flagrant violation of international law, with Israel’s actions overall constituting crimes against humanity.

Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon was among those injured during the device explosions and Mr. Iravani said his country would pursue accountability, taking “all necessary measures” to respond. 

Israel has “crossed a red line” in its attacks on Iranian diplomats and diplomatic missions, he said, arguing that the Council had failed in its duty to maintain international peace and security.

US support for Israel and its allies – especially the UK – enables Israel to continue its war without fear of accountability, he added, describing Israel as rooted in aggression, occupation, terror and genocide. 

Israel suffered ‘unprovoked attacks’: Ambassador

Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon stressed that his country did not seek the war, stating that on 8 October, when Israeli citizens in the south were being “slaughtered” by Hamas, Hezbollah “unleased hundreds of rockets” in the north against civilians.

“This was not provoked,” he said. "It was a calculated assault to show support for Hamas.” 

Since that day, more than 8,000 rockets have “rained down” on Israel, killing 46 people and injuring a further 294, he said, adding that more than 60,000 have been displaced.

“Everyday, Hezbollah rockets deliberately target our civilians, attempting to destroy homes and force entire communities to flee in fear,” he said.

He noted that it has been nearly a year that they were forced to flee, and they continue to wait for the day it will be safe for them to return.

“Israel will not allow this to continue. Our objective is very clear – we will restore security to our northern borders and will bring our people home,” he said, noting that the goal of returning its displaced citizens has been formally included in the objectives of this war.

“We will do whatever it takes to achieve this.”

Lebanon says ‘Israel has become a rogue State’

Abdallah Bou Habib, Lebanon's Foreign Affairs Minister, said if the Council cannot condemn these actions then the credibility of international law is at risk.

“Israel, through this terrorist aggression, has violated the basic principles of international humanitarian law....and indiscriminately targeted civilians,” he said.

Condemning the recent attacks, he cautioned that such technology could be used to target planes and other civilian objects. Israel's attacks on mobile devices in Lebanon have left many dead and wounded, leaving the healthcare system completely overwhelmed while creating terror and a state of panic among the Lebanese people.

“Isn't this terrorism when you target a whole population while they tend to their daily life and not fighting on the front?” he said, holding up a photo of one of the victims.

The first additional protocol to the Geneva Convention of 1949 stated that the rights of parties to choose weapons of warfare is not unlimited, he said, adding that all parties to a conflict must avoid the civilian loss of life and damage of civilian infrastructure.

“Israel has become a rogue State,” he said. “This great explosion will spare neither East nor West.”

Calling on the Council to condemn the recent attacks, implement resolution 1701 and stand on the right side of history, he asked members to “give peace a chance before it is too late.”

Slovenia: Climate of terror

Samuel Žbogar of Slovenia, which holds the Council presidency for September, spoke in his national capacity, echoing the strong condemnation of the mobile device explosions in Lebanon, calling them unprecedented and “devastatingly coordinated”, instilling fear and further destabilising the region.

“It has created a climate of terror,” he said. “We are stepping in a dangerous new territory and as new technology is being used and developed, we underline the need to respect the existing legal obligations.”

Stressing that civilian objects should not be weaponised, he said “the international law is clear: use of booby traps is prohibited” and that the Council must uphold it.

Calling for a full investigation, he said “those who ordered and carried out such an attack must be brought to justice.”

The Council must act before the situation in the region spirals beyond control, he said, emphasising that diplomacy must be the only path forward. - UN News