The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, affirmed before the Security Council that international law prohibits the “booby-trapping” of civilian devices.

He clarified during a meeting requested by Algeria, following the recent bombings of communication devices belonging to Hezbollah in Lebanon, that acts of violence aimed at spreading terror among civilians are considered a war crime. Turk also called for an independent and transparent investigation and accountability for those responsible for these attacks.

In a related context, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo warned that continued violence between Israel, Hamas, and Hezbollah could lead to a disaster greater than what has been witnessed so far.