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more than 20 years.43 According to the authorities, water infrastructure that has been extensively
damaged includes the pipelines from Ain El Zarka spring to the villages of eastern Saida and
from Nabeh El Tasseh spring to the village of Aankoun, 31 water tanks in different areas and
two artesian wells, Bfarwa well and a well in Fakher El Din.44 UNICEF has also reported that
underground pipes and other water-related infrastructure have been seriously damaged or
destroyed in many areas.45 Amnesty International in its report questioned whether attacks on
such civilian infrastructure, including water facilities, were deliberate attacks, rather than
collateral damage.46
30.
The destruction of irrigation infrastructure will also continue to hinder the reestablishment of agriculture. The south of Lebanon is dry and arid, and the underground water
level is very deep - about 600 m. Much of the agriculture in the region cannot be sustained by
the rains alone. Without irrigation, much of the next harvest, even if it can be planted, will be
lost. Fadi Comair, Director-General of Hydraulic Resources of Lebanon, expressed concern that
much of the complex system of the Litani canal, which provides irrigation water to southern
Lebanon, had been destroyed. With many irrigation canals now full of unexploded bombs, he
estimated that it would take several years to clear the irrigation canals and repair the
infrastructure. A shortage of fuel and electricity has also contributed to the water crisis, as water
pumps require electricity or fuel-fed generators to run.47 Electrical facilities, power plants and
fuel stations have suffered extensive damage, and at least 20 fuel depots have been completely
destroyed.48
IV.
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
31.
The right to food and water is protected under international human rights and
humanitarian law. Given the essential nature of food and water to the survival of civilian
populations, these are central obligations in time of war, as well as in time of peace. In the
light of the findings described above and the international obligations of the parties
involved in the war, the Special Rapporteur makes the following conclusions and
recommendations:
(a)
Violations of the right to food under international human rights and
humanitarian law should be further investigated, including to determine whether they
constitute grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocol I and,
possibly, war crimes under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court;
(b)
The Commission of Inquiry established by the Human Rights Council should
also investigate violations of the right to food and recommend measures for awarding
reparation and determining accountability;
(c)
The International Humanitarian Fact-Finding Commission established in
accordance with Additional Protocol I should be accepted by the Government of Israel and
the Government of Lebanon to investigate violations of the right to food under
international humanitarian law;
(d)
Individuals should be held responsible for violations of the right to food and
water. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in her statement to the
Human Rights Council at its second special session noted that when legal obligations
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