The United Nations has urged for an investigation into an Israeli strike on the village of Aitou in northern Lebanon, which resulted in the deaths of at least 21 people. The strike, which occurred on Monday, targeted an entire building where individuals who had fled the bombardment in southern Lebanon were seeking refuge, as reported by the Lebanese Red Cross.
The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) revealed that among the casualties were 12 women and two children. OHCHR spokesperson Jeremy Laurence expressed concerns regarding the adherence to International Humanitarian Law, emphasizing the importance of upholding the laws of war and principles of distinction, proportionality, and proportion.
The UN has called for a thorough and independent investigation into the incident to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the strike. Aitou, located approximately 100 kilometers north of Beirut in the Zgharta district, is predominantly inhabited by a Christian population. This marked the first time the village was targeted since the onset of the current conflict a year ago.
Photographs taken after the strike depict the extent of the destruction, with damaged cars and houses reduced to rubble. Following the incident, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that they had targeted what they believed to be a Hezbollah site in the area. The IDF mentioned that the claim of civilian casualties is currently under review.
