The Geneva-based Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said on Wednesday that “the Israeli army has systematically escalated its military attacks since the beginning of November, committing several massacres that killed dozens of civilians in Lebanon, the majority of whom are women, children and the elderly.”

The Observatory added in a statement that it is “necessary to respect and abide by international humanitarian law, which obliges warring parties during armed conflicts to distinguish between civilians and combatants at all times.”

“Even if allegations of targeting military commanders are true, it is unacceptable that such targeting takes place while they are in civilian areas and among the civilian population and without regard for any of the principles of international humanitarian law, which constitute serious violations under this law,” he said.

The Observatory called for “the formation of a UN commission of inquiry into international violations and crimes committed in Lebanon.”