According to the Lebanese Ministry of Health, the toll of fighting has been devastating: 3,823 people killed and 15,859 wounded. Additionally, according to UNHCR more than 1.3 million people have been displaced, further exacerbating the vulnerability of refugee populations in the country. In northern Israel, dozens of Israelis have been killed, and more than 60,000 civilians have fled Hezbollah’s attacks.
While we see this ceasefire in Lebanon as a critical milestone, it remains fragile – any provocation, even minor, could lead to renewed violence. We can only see this news as fully positive if the Israeli violence in Gaza also stops. Therefore, it remains important to continue fighting for an immediate and permanent ceasefire across the region. Sustaining this moment requires continued political pressure and a commitment to resolving tensions through dialogue and concrete measures, not retaliation. To ensure accountability, we urge the UN Human Rights Council to establish an independent monitoring mechanism to investigate possible war crimes committed by all parties. The Dutch government, currently in this UN body, should support this. It is a positive sign that earlier this week Dutch Parliament approved a motion calling for the admission of independent international observers to Lebanon. Accountability and justice are essential to preventing further escalation in Lebanon.
As civilians begin to return to southern Lebanon, their protection must be a priority. The attack this morning on returning displaced civilians underscore the dangers they face. In the coming weeks, we urge the Netherlands and the international community to invest in reconstruction, psychosocial support, and economic development programs to help all affected people in Lebanon to recover sustainably.
In order to achieve the highly needed permanent regional ceasefire more pressure is needed, including a halt in the supply of weapons to Israel.
