Turk told reporters at the end of his visit to this country that some of these actions could be war crimes and, therefore, offenses under international law, the UN News Centre informed.

The official noted that the continuous Israeli airstrikes, bombings, and use of explosive weapons in densely populated areas resulted in numerous civilian casualties, widespread destruction, and mass displacement.

Turk toured a school that had been converted into a shelter for some 1,000 people and listened to testimonies from families who tried to return to their homes but found their villages destroyed.

The High Commissioner expressed concern about the possible consequences for the protection of the civilian population, given the expected end of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)’s mandate this year.

Turk affirmed that Israeli forces continue to occupy large areas of southern Lebanon and warned that actions causing mass displacement and preventing the return of residents could be international crimes.

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