UN Rapporteur "Lebanon financial institution airstrikes violate international humanitarian law"

Israel's airstrikes on Lebanese financial institutions to cut off funds from pro-Iranian militant Hezbollah are a violation of international humanitarian law, the U.N. special rapporteur says."The Israeli military's multiple bombing of Hezbollah-linked financial institutions is a clear violation of international humanitarian law as an attack on civilian facilities," UN Special Rapporteur for counterterrorism and human rights protection Ben Saul said in a statement.

On the 21st, Israeli forces launched a series of airstrikes on the financial institution Al Khard al-Hasan in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon's capital.

Israel believes Hezbollah is operating the financial institution virtually like a bank to finance it from Western sanctions.

In response, Special Rapporteur Saul pointed out that "attacks on financial infrastructure are not allowed under international humanitarian law, even if military activities are indirectly supported."

"We define an object that actually contributes to military activity and has a clear military advantage when destroyed as a military goal," he said. "Attacking an object other than this is not justified."

Special Rapporteur Saul also said each branch of Alkard al-Hasan is responsible for financial functions close to the economic life of Lebanese people.

"Bombing banks jeopardizes residents' right to life by not separating between private and military targets," he stressed.