Amnesty International on Friday condemned Hezbollah’s repeated attacks on civilian areas of Israel using unguided rockets, following a thorough investigation.

Hezbollah’s rocket attacks resulted in the deaths of eight civilians and injuries to at least 16 others in October. The rocket attacks intensified following the escalation of Hezbollah’s conflict with Israel in late September 2024. On October 29, Hezbollah fired a salvo of rockets into northern Israel. The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that one of the rockets struck the home of Mohammed Naim, a 23-year-old Palestinian citizen of Israel, in Tarshiha, killing him, and that 13 others were injured in the attack. Initially, Hezbollah claimed the target was the town of Kfar Vradim but later revised their statement, noting they were targeting Israeli soldiers in Ma’alot-Tarshiha.

Following this, On October 31, 2024, Hezbollah launched 18 rocket salvos targeting various Israeli towns, including Karmiel, Acre, and Krayot, resulting in the deaths of seven civilians. The first strike hit an orchard in Metula, killing five civilians: one Israeli man and four Thai migrant workers. A sixth person was injured. The second strike targeted an olive grove near Kiryat Ata, killing Mina Shafiq Hassoun, 60, and her son Karmi Raja Hassoun, 30, Palestinian citizens of Israel. Two others were injured. This marked the deadliest day for northern Israel since the escalation of the conflict.

On November 24, Hezbollah launched up to 250 unguided rockets from Lebanon toward Israel, indiscriminately targeting civilian areas and causing substantial destruction. These rockets struck multiple cities, including Haifa, Tiberias, Acre, Safed, Karmiel, Kfar Giladi, and the Krayot area, among others. While Hezbollah claimed that some of the rockets were aimed at military targets, the group also admitted to targeting civilian populations in certain instances.

Amnesty International identified Hezbollah’s use of unguided 122mm, 220mm, 240mm, and 302mm multiple-launch rocket systems in the videos. These rockets are inherently inaccurate, as their trajectory cannot be precisely controlled, making it impossible to predict where they will land.

The principle of distinction under Article 51(4) of Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions prohibits attacks on civilians and requires a clear distinction between military and civilian targets.

Hezbollah’s recent rocket strikes on Israel marked a major intensification, the most significant since the 2006 Lebanon War. Israel has accused Hezbollah of violating of UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1701, which called on the militant group to cease attacks on Israel.

Amnesty International has also documented evidence of war crimes by Israeli forces. According to their reports, Israeli forces carried out at least 1,600 airstrikes across Lebanon, hitting various villages and towns, which led to the deaths of over 500 people.