A/HRC/2/7 page 17 72. The vast majority of rockets fired by Hezbollah were 122-mm “Katyushas”, some of them with a larger warhead and modified to increase the range up to 50 km. But a variety of other weapons were also used, including 220-mm mobile rockets modified to carry thousands of small ball bearings, which spray out over a radius of up to 300 m when the rocket strikes and thus maximize harm to persons.90 73. The Katyushas and 220-mm mobile rockets have an accuracy of 300-400 m when used at maximum range. As a consequence, when they hit civilian targets such as hospitals or villages which are more than 1 km away from a military target, it is reasonable to assume that they have either targeted the object in question or that their use is indiscriminate. 74. Thus, for example, some 20 rocket strikes reportedly hit the immediate vicinity of the Nahariya Hospital (located 6 km from the Lebanese border). They included one direct hit on 28 July which caused major damage to an ophthalmology ward. In the absence of a plausible military target within 1 km of the hospital, this would seem to suggest illegal targeting of a civilian building. 75. Overall, there emerges a clear picture of Hezbollah rocket attacks on Israeli civilians and civilian buildings and infrastructure in violation of the applicable norms of international humanitarian law, and in many instances of the prohibition on indiscriminate attacks and of the principle of distinction. 2. Impact on the civilian population 76. It is estimated that 300,000 individuals fled or were evacuated from the dangers of Hezbollah rocket attacks on northern Israel,91 a region with a population of more than 2 million.92 They found refuge in safe parts of the country, renting private accommodation in hotels and guesthouses, staying with family and friends, or provided with shelter by private individuals or non-governmental organizations. 77. Those who did not leave had to seek refuge in air-raid shelters under ground. In Israel, these shelters, which can be private or public, constitute an essential part of the civilian population protection system. In Kiryat Shmona, for instance, 5,000-10,000 residents who remained in the city lived in shelters. The living conditions in these shelters were said to be appalling, with people suffering from overcrowding, very high temperatures and lack of hygiene and fresh air.93 In some parts of the north, children and adults remained in the shelters almost 24 hours a day for approximately one month. Magen David Adom personnel treated and evacuated over 2,500 casualties, including 1,500 suffering from “anxiety attacks”.94 In particular, women and children were reported to have suffered from acute stress arising from the conflict. 78. A large number of houses were destroyed. According to official figures, Hezbollah attacks damaged up to 12,000 buildings, including some 400 public buildings. In Kiryat Shmona, about 2,000 apartments were estimated to have been damaged.95 The conflict also had important consequences on the business sector and a correlative impact on the livelihoods of large parts of the population of northern Israel.

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