Persona Non Grata: The Expulsion of Civilians From Israeli-Occupied Lebanon

This report documents the expulsion and forced transfer of Lebanese civilians from Israeli-occupied south Lebanon in a summary and often cruel manner, sometimes in swift and punishing reprisal for the known or suspected activities of their relatives. They typically have been forced to leave with nothing but the clothes on their backs. This abrupt disposses- sion has imposed difficult and enduring hardships, with many families living in poverty because of the loss of homes, agricultural land, and small businesses.

Israel's auxiliary Lebanese militia, the South Lebanon Army (SLA), has informed residents of the occupied zone they were being expelled, and SLA personnel have transported them out of the zone. Nevertheless, as the occupying power in its self-described "security zone" Israel bears ultimate respon- sibility for both its own actions and those of the SLA that affect the civilian population. The international humanitarian law standards codified in the Fourth Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilians in Time of War categorically prohibit deportations and forcible transfers, which are grave breaches of the laws and customs of war.