‘Destroyed my whole life’: Lebanese families wiped out in Israeli attacks

Amnesty International has launched an investigation into three Israeli military strikes in southern Lebanon that resulted in 24 civilian deaths over a one-week period in March. The attacks occurred in al-Thakana in Tyre, Arki village in Sidon district, and al-Rahbat neighbourhood in Nabatieh district. Among the dead were 12 children aged five to 16 and six women.

Hussein Saleh's family was among those killed in the Tyre strike on March 6. He was away purchasing groceries when an Israeli air attack destroyed his home, killing his wife, five-year-old daughter Sara, father-in-law, and five other family members who were present. Nine people total were in the house at the time, including three children, with his wife pregnant. Saleh described the aftermath as leaving no intact bodies, requiring three days to collect all remains.

Amnesty International's investigation concluded that the three strikes should be examined as potential war crimes. The organization found no evidence of military objectives at the time of the attacks and determined that the Israeli military failed to take necessary precautions to protect civilians or distinguish between military targets and civilian structures. No specific or effective warning was issued before the strikes. Despite requests, Israel has not provided information regarding the intended targets of the three attacks.

Amnesty's deputy regional director for the Middle East and North Africa, Kristine Beckerle, characterized the strikes as demonstrating callous disregard for civilian lives. This investigation represents one of multiple accusations against Israel regarding illegal attacks in Lebanon since military operations began in October 2023.