A/HRC/3/2
page 29
and the need for a full and careful documentation of individual eye-witness accounts, the
Commission was able to examine only a certain number of incidents which occurred during the
conflict. Findings based on particular incidents are set out below.
92.
The Commission is aware that a comprehensive investigation related to a large number of
alleged killings (see annex VI) is being conducted under the auspices of the Lebanese
Parliamentary Human Rights Committee, in cooperation with civil society and concerned
individuals. The Commission stresses that violations of international humanitarian law and
incidents involving alleged infringement of the right to life and other human rights, justify such
investigations, and should be given due support and assistance, including from the Office of the
High Commissioner and other United Nations agencies, as necessary.
(a)
Southern Lebanon
93.
Numerous villages throughout southern Lebanon suffered extensive bombing and
shelling resulting in killings and massive displacement of civilians. Some villages were
occupied by Israeli forces and suffered other kinds of damage. The Bekaa Valley also came
under attack.
94.
The village of Al Duweir is located in South Lebanon a few kilometres north of the
Litani River. The three-storey family house of Sheikh Adil Akkash was located outside the
village in an isolated spot on a hillside. The Commission visited the site and spoke with the
father of Sheikh Adil Akkash, Mr. Mohammed Mustafa Akkash. He told the Commission how,
on 14 July at 0400 hours, the house was hit by three missiles. The 41-year old cleric, his wife,
seven daughters and three sons (aged 6 months to 17 years), and Sri Lankan maid were inside the
house. All 13 were killed. The house was completely destroyed.
95.
The Sheikh was a religious scholar, his father said, a peaceful man. “Ask anyone in the
village, everyone will say the same thing”, he said. He taught in a religious school in Saida,
which, the father said, was also hit a few days later. The Sheikh had a huge collection of books,
which the Commission saw littered across the hillside amid the rubble. The house was located
about 200 metres away from the nearest house, which was untouched, suggesting that the
bombing was targeted. There was no indication of any hostilities in or around the vicinities.
However, no information could be collected which would explain the motivation for the killing
of this family. As a civilian and a cleric, the Sheikh and his family would be clearly protected by
international humanitarian law.
96.
In Marwaheen, the Commission interviewed witnesses in relation to the occupation of
the village by IDF, as well as on the attacks on convoys leaving the village on 15 and 16 July
(see sect. B.2). UNIFIL reported that as IDF advanced into the village they fired at every single
house with tanks and machine guns. In addition, numerous houses were vandalized by IDF
troops during their period of occupation and one was deliberately set on fire. The fire damage
was witnessed by members of the Commission: the beds used in the house by IDF were stacked
together in one room and had been deliberately set on fire. Towards the end of the conflict, after
IDF had withdrawn, the village was subjected to cluster-bomb attacks.
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