Beirut: Human rights group Amnesty International has issued a stern warning that the Israeli army's mass displacement orders in Lebanon could constitute war crimes under international law. The organization highlighted that these actions involve forced civilian displacement and the prevention of their return, which qualify as unlawful transfers and thus, war crimes.

According to Anadolu Agency, Amnesty International's investigation revealed that the Israeli military has significantly increased the use of these displacement orders, affecting hundreds of thousands of people across Lebanon. The orders have been extended to prevent residents of southern Lebanon from returning to their villages within Israel's self-declared buffer zone, which now encompasses approximately 6% of Lebanon.

The statement from Amnesty International's deputy regional director for the Middle East and North Africa, Kristine Beckerle, called for Israeli forces to halt their operations. She emphasized the need for Israel to cease forcibly uprooting communities and designating large areas of Lebanese territory as no-go zones for civilians. Instead, Beckerle insisted that Israeli forces should immediately withdraw from Lebanese land.

The Israeli military had declared approximately 4.6% of Lebanon as a no-go zone on November 28, 2024, soon after a ceasefire was announced. This zone was expanded to about 6% of the country in 2026, creating a 'Forward Defence' zone, thereby ordering residents not to return to their homes in several villages, previously inhabited by tens of thousands of people.

Lebanese officials have reported that Israel's offensive, which began on March 2, has resulted in over 3,820 fatalities, with more than 11,850 individuals injured and over 1 million displaced. Israeli forces have advanced over 10 kilometers into Lebanese territory, occupying areas in the south for varying durations-some for decades and others since the 2023-2024 war.