AMNESTY International has urged authorities to investigate Israeli strikes in Lebanon that allegedly resulted in the deaths of entire families, describing the attacks as potential war crimes.
The London-based human rights organisation alleged that Israel carried out attacks on civilian homes during its conflict with the armed group Hezbollah, causing the deaths of dozens of civilians.
The latest escalation began on 2 March when Hezbollah launched rockets towards Israel in support of its ally, Iran.
Israel responded with large-scale air strikes and ground operations inside Lebanon, which Lebanese authorities said resulted in more than 4,300 deaths, including over 250 children.
Amnesty said it examined three air strikes on civilian homes between 6 and 13 March that killed 24 civilians, including 12 children.
AFP reported today that the organisation alleged that the attacks wiped out entire families and called for the incidents to be investigated as possible war crimes.
According to Amnesty, the group contacted Israeli authorities, who said some of the strikes targeted Hezbollah military objectives, while other incidents remained under review.
Israeli authorities also stated that they were committed to reducing risks to civilians during military operations.
However, Amnesty said the Israeli military had not provided detailed information regarding the three strikes under investigation, including the specific targets involved.
The report was based on interviews with 15 people, including survivors, relatives of victims, medical responders, journalists who visited the attack sites and local officials.
Amnesty said the evidence gathered provided reasonable grounds to conclude that Israeli forces may have violated international humanitarian law by failing to adequately distinguish between military targets and civilians, as well as failing to take sufficient precautions to minimise harm to non-combatants.
Amnesty's Deputy Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, Kristine Beckerle, said the reported attacks demonstrated disregard for civilian lives.
"In just one week, Israeli forces destroyed entire families including 12 children, reflecting a callous disregard for civilian lives," she said.
"All states must impose a comprehensive arms embargo on Israel and use universal and extraterritorial jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute those responsible," she added.
The allegations come after Lebanon and Israel signed a US-backed framework agreement last month aimed at creating a pathway towards a permanent end to hostilities.
The agreement followed a memorandum of understanding between Iran and the United States to end a wider conflict in the Middle East, including a ceasefire arrangement in Lebanon.
However, Israel has continued carrying out periodic strikes in southern Lebanon, with some attacks resulting in fatalities. - July 9, 2026
