Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has accused Israel of committing “a direct violation of human rights” through its continued military assault on the country’s south Al Jazeera reports.

Following a meeting with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk, Aoun says Israel’s continued destruction of homes and bulldozing of villages in the south amounts to “a flagrant breach of international laws and customs”, calling for international action to bring it to an end.

He also accuses Israel of targeting religious and heritage sites, saying the attacks reveal “premeditated intentions against both people and stone”, noting such sites “are neither military nor host any armed presence”.

Lebanon remains committed to implementing the “framework formula”, but Aoun warns that continued Israeli actions risk undermining it.