UN human rights chief says Israel must end house demolitions and occupation in Lebanon

By — Kareem Chehayeb, Associated Press Kareem Chehayeb, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/un-human-rights-chief-says-israel-must-end-house-demolitions-and-occupation-in-lebanon Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter UN human rights chief says Israel must end house demolitions and occupation in Lebanon World Jul 27, 2026 2:34 PM EDT BEIRUT (AP) — The United Nations' human rights chief said Monday that Israel must end its occupation of large areas of southern Lebanon and halt the demolition of homes, days before Lebanese and Israeli officials are set to hold another round of direct talks. Volker Türk spoke to The Associated Press as he wrapped up a visit to Lebanon, his second in just over a year. He met with government officials, civil society representatives and Lebanese people displaced by the war between Israel and the Hezbollah militant group. The visit came about a week before Lebanese and Israeli officials are to meet in Rome for talks on implementing a framework deal reached June 26. It laid out a plan for the deployment of Lebanese military forces in areas in southern Lebanon and the withdrawal of Israeli forces, alongside the disarmament of Hezbollah. Hezbollah has rejected the direct talks and says it will not disarm. Türk said some Israeli actions in Lebanon could amount to war crimes, echoing criticism from other human rights groups over the widespread destruction of towns and villages, and the dozens of medical workers and journalists killed. "Demolition of this type raises huge flags about compliance with international humanitarian law," Türk said, describing what has happened as a "wholesale destruction" of civilian homes. Israel has said that its attacks target Hezbollah personnel and infrastructure. It accuses the group of hiding among civilians, and says its troops in occupied parts of southern Lebanon have revealed weapons warehouses and tunnel networks belonging to the group. WATCH: Southern Lebanese skeptical of Israel agreement as violence continues The latest conflict started March 2, when Hezbollah fired rockets toward Israel after the U.S.-Israeli February attacks that set off the Iran war. Israel launched an aerial campaign and ground invasion in Lebanon, killing more than 4,000 people and displacing 1.2 million others. The Israeli military still occupies dozens of towns and villages in southern Lebanon. Türk, who is based in Geneva, also met with a visiting team from his office investigating attacks in Lebanon during the war. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, who met with Türk on Monday, said Lebanon remains committed to the agreement, but warned that Israel's continued military presence and demolitions may "undermine its effectiveness." Lebanon "will not accept ongoing violations of its provisions," Aoun was quoted as saying during the meeting from his office. The agreement controversially includes both sides withholding from