Israel’s Explosive Devices in Lebanon Raise War Crime Allegations: A Call for Accountability

The recent string of explosions in Lebanon and Syria, caused by booby-trapped electronics such as pagers, walkie-talkies, and solar equipment, has triggered international outrage and potential war crime investigations. Over 37 people, including children, have been killed, with more than 3,000 wounded, many suffering severe injuries, including limb amputations. Fires have broken out in homes, stores, and vehicles, intensifying the devastation across Lebanon.

Although the Israeli government has not claimed responsibility for these attacks, multiple U.S. officials point to Israel as the likely source. The indiscriminate nature of the blasts, targeting civilians without clear military justification, has drawn sharp criticism from international law experts. Brian Finucane, a former U.S. State Department legal adviser, argues that such acts, if committed by Israel, breach international laws of war. Specifically, the use of booby traps disguised as harmless objects—prohibited under international law since 1996—raises serious legal questions.

Despite the complex geopolitical tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, many see these attacks as a deliberate escalation. Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, have hinted at shifting the focus of the ongoing conflict towards Lebanon, potentially widening the scope of war in the region.

As experts raise the possibility of war crimes, questions loom over the legality and ethics of Israel’s tactics. Will international pressure, particularly from the U.S., push for accountability, or will this further fuel the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Middle East?