HRW to Israel's attack: war crimes on civilian banks in Lebanon

HRW to Israel's attack: war crimes on civilian banks in Lebanon

The tensions in Lebanon have reached a new chapter through Israel's recent air raids that were specifically directed against the Hisbollah bank. The Human Rights Watch (HRW) organization describes these attacks as war crimes because, according to the human rights organization, they are not a legitimate military goal.

hrw draws attention to the fact that the use of a financial institution by an armed group does not automatically mean that this institution is also a legitimate goal in the sense of the law. "The fact that an armed group uses a bank does not contribute to military action," the organization clarified. Therefore, this bank must be viewed as a civilian object.

meaning of the attacks on Al-Kard al-Hassan

The attacked bank, known as Al-Kard al-Hassan, is one of the largest microfinance institutions in Lebanon. In a country that has been suffering from a severe financial crisis for years, this bank has taken on a significant role in the allocation of microcredits. Despite the claims that were drawn up by Israel, the USA and the late Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah that the bank has connections to HISBOLLAH military activities, it remains a civilian institution.

hrw warned that allowing such attacks on financial institutions could have far -reaching consequences. It could lead to every bank that is used by participants in the conflict as a legitimate military goal. This would drastically increase the dangers of civilians during military conflicts and undermine the humanitarian standards in war law.

These attacks on Al-Kard al-Hassan are part of a larger military offensive of Israel, which, according to its own information, has bombed numerous destinations in Lebanon in recent weeks in order to act against the Hisbollah and their financial networks. Especially in a country whose banking sector has collapsed, such attacks are a significant threat to the already vulnerable civilian population.

In recent years, the Lebanese banking sector has suffered enormous losses, and the financial difficulties continue to worsen. In view of these attacks, the question remains which solutions are possible for civilians in Lebanon and how the international community will react to this escalating situation.

Further information on this topic can be found on www.nau.ch