Legal experts are engaged in heated discussions regarding a series of explosions that rattled Lebanon this week, causing casualties and injuries. The explosions, which occurred over two days in Lebanon and neighboring countries, involved several pagers and walkie-talkies that unexpectedly detonated. Many of the devices were linked to Hezbollah fighters, associates, or supporters, though not all were connected to the group. In the aftermath, numerous innocent bystanders, including children, were harmed or killed. While Israel has not officially claimed responsibility, a U.S. official informed NPR that Israel had notified Washington about its involvement in the attacks that took place on Tuesday.

The debate surrounding the events is centered on international humanitarian law, with a particular focus on the legality of the actions under various treaties and protocols. Scholars and rights groups have raised concerns about the use of booby traps, referencing Article 7(2) of the Amended Protocol II of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons. This protocol prohibits the use of booby traps, defined as objects that may attract civilians or are associated with everyday civilian use, aiming to protect civilians from harm during conflicts. Human Rights Watch has urged for an impartial investigation into the incidents, highlighting the potential breaches of international humanitarian law.

Brian Finucane, a former legal adviser at the U.S. State Department, stated that information gathered after the explosions implicates Israel in the attacks and suggests violations of the prohibition on booby traps. While international laws of war require parties in a conflict to minimize harm to civilians and consider proportionality in their actions, the complexity of determining the specific targets and impact of the attacks remains challenging due to limited information. Experts have condemned the explosions as terrifying violations of international law, emphasizing the need to distinguish between combatants and civilians during conflicts. Despite contrasting views from legal scholars, the debate over the legality of the recent explosions in Lebanon continues to unfold.