UN Rights Chief Calls for Israeli Withdrawal From Southern Lebanon

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk called on Israel to withdraw from areas it holds in southern Lebanon and halt home demolitions as he ended an official visit to Beirut. He said displaced residents should be able to return safely and urged accountability for alleged violations by all sides. The June 26 framework links an Israeli withdrawal with Lebanese army deployment and Hezbollah’s disarmament, after the Iran-backed group attacked northern Israeli communities and Israel launched its campaign against Hezbollah personnel and infrastructure. Israeli and Lebanese officials are due to continue implementation talks in Rome on August 4.