A/HRC/3/2 page 51 205. Following the cessation of hostilities on 14 August, massive numbers of internally displaced persons and refugees returned to their areas of origin, particularly in southern Lebanon and the southern suburbs of Beirut. According to UNHCR, approximately 90 per cent of those displaced in Lebanon during the hostilities returned to their homes, or were staying nearby, within days of the ceasefire. Some, however, were displaced for a second time, having returned home to find their homes uninhabitable and their livelihoods destroyed. At the time of writing an estimated 255,000 people were believed still to be displaced within Lebanon and abroad.181 A paramount concern for the protection of the displaced returning to their homes, as well as to the lives of humanitarian and reconstruction workers, peacekeeping personnel, and others, is the constant and pernicious threat posed by unexploded ordnance, in particular cluster munitions. 206. International law prohibits forced displacement in situations of armed conflict, unless the security of the civilians involved or imperative military reasons so demand.182 As set out in the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement, before any decision is made requiring the displacement of persons, the authorities concerned must ensure that all feasible alternatives are explored in order to avoid displacement altogether.183 In particular, authorities and other actors must respect and ensure respect for their obligations under international law, including human rights and humanitarian law “so as to prevent and avoid conditions that might lead to displacement of persons”.184 Where no alternatives exist, all measures shall be taken to minimize displacement and its adverse effects.185 207. Much of the displacement in Lebanon was the result, either direct or indirect, of indiscriminate attacks on civilians and civilian property and infrastructure, as well as the climate of fear and panic among the civilian population caused by the warnings, threats and attacks by IDF. Furthermore, in many cases, the attacks were disproportionate in nature and could not be justified on the basis of military necessity. Taking into account all of these facts, the Commission notes that the displacement itself constitutes a violation of international law. 208. The Commission further recalls that displaced persons are entitled to the full protection afforded under international human rights and humanitarian law. At the same time, they have specific needs distinct from those of the non-displaced population which must be addressed by specific protection and assistance measures.186 The Commission notes that, throughout the period of the conflict, IDPs often did not have access to humanitarian assistance to meet their needs.187 10. Environment 209. Already in the early stages of the conflict, IDF attacks on Lebanese infrastructure created large-scale environmental damage. The Commission considered the devastating effect the oil spill from the Jiyyeh power plant has had and will continue to have in the years to come over the flora and fauna on the Lebanese coast. This very serious event took place when the Israeli Air Force bombed the fuel storage tanks of the Jiyyeh electrical power station, situated 30 km south of Beirut. Due to its location by the sea, the attack resulted in an environmental disaster. The plant’s damaged storage tanks gave way. According to the Lebanese Ministry of Environment, between 10,000 and 15,000 tons of oil spilled into the eastern Mediterranean Sea.188 A 10 km-wide oil slick covered 170 km of the Lebanese coastline.