International Studies Journal (ISJ)

International Studies Journal (ISJ)

Israel's Attacks on Southern Lebanon: Legal Perspectives on the Conduct of Hostilities

Document Type : Extension Article

Author
Legal advisor of Human Rights and Women Department in Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Abstract
The 33 days of war and hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, which constituted an international armed conflict, would be fall within the conventional and customary international humanitarian law. According to law jus ad bellum, the use of force by Israel in starting the war against Hezbollah under pretext of self-defense is considered as an unlawful act of aggression. Such incidents as capturing enemy’s soldiers may repeatedly occur in any critical situation between two parties. These low-level acts of violence across the borders are considered minor armed exchanges which would not give rise to the right of self-defense. Moreover, every measure under the right of the self-defense will be conditioned by three significant principles of proportionality, necessity, and imminence, which Israel clearly failed to comply with them during the time of war. Israeli Forces couldn’t comply with the rules of international humanitarian law, known as jus in Bello, in the course of the hostilities and war against Hezbollah in southern part of Lebanon from July 12 to August 14, 2006. The devastating impact in southern part of Lebanon and heavy human toll by Israeli Forces during their 33-day of war against Hezbollah is a vivid violation of several international humanitarian rules including principles of distinction and precautions which caused killing of hundreds of civilians, displacement of the civilian population, destroying the natural environment and cultural properties and sites.
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