Israel's bombing of branches of an alleged Hezbollah-linked financial firm in Lebanon this week was a clear violation of international law, an independent United Nations expert said Wednesday.
"Israel's multiple bombings of a financial institution in Lebanon were illegal attacks on civilian objects under international humanitarian law," said Ben Saul, the United Nations special rapporteur on the protection of human rights while countering terrorism.
Israel's military said Monday that it had hit nearly 30 targets belonging to Hezbollah-linked financial firm Al-Qard al-Hassan.
The firm is seen as a lifeline for many Shia Muslims and other Lebanese in the face of a years-long financial crisis.
"International humanitarian law does not permit attacks on the economic or financial infrastructure of an adversary, even if they indirectly sustain its military activities," Saul said in a statement.