Explosions in Lebanon spark UN call for urgent investigation

Explosions in Lebanon appear to be a pre-emptive strike before a major military operation, argues the UN chief. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, calls for an independent investigation. At least nine people died, and over 300 were injured in a series of explosions of electronic devices that occurred on Wednesday in Lebanon.

Reuters reported on Wednesday that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that the explosions in Lebanon pose "a serious threat of dramatic escalation in Lebanon, and everything must be done to prevent it." The matter was also addressed by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, who is calling for an independent investigation.

Guterres warned of an escalation of the conflict in Lebanon and added that "the obvious logic of causing the explosion of all these devices is that it is meant to be a pre-emptive strike before a major military operation."

Meanwhile, Volker Turk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, called for an independent investigation into these explosions.

"An independent, thorough, and transparent investigation must be conducted into the circumstances of these massive explosions, and those who ordered and carried out such an attack must be held accountable," he stressed. He added that "such attacks violate international human rights law and potentially international humanitarian law."

Reuters reported that the UN Security Council will gather on Friday regarding the pager explosions in Lebanon. The UN General Assembly passed a resolution on Wednesday calling on Israel to end the "illegal presence on occupied Palestinian territory" within 12 months.

The resolution was supported by 124 countries, with 43 abstaining from voting, and 14 voting against, including Israel and the United States. The USA urged the UN General Assembly to vote against this resolution. The United States believes it undermines the two-state solution in the Middle East.

On 17 September, the pagers of Hezbollah members, a terrorist organisation, exploded in Lebanon. As a result of the explosions, 12 people died, and nearly 3000 were injured.

Another wave of explosions of electronic devices belonging to members of this organisation occurred on Wednesday afternoon. At least 14 people died, and over 450 were injured in a series of explosions of electronic devices that occurred on Wednesday in Lebanon.