Wednesday's airstrike in Lebanon was one of the deadliest attacks since the country's civil war ended in 1990, writes The Guardian .
During “Black Wednesday,” as Lebanese media called it, 160 bombs were dropped on 100 targets across the country in ten minutes. The attacks continued well into the evening and night. According to Lebanon’s Ministry of Health, more than 300 people were killed and at least 1,150 injured.
"Even if you act in self-defense, you have to respect the needs and homes of the civilian population as much as possible. They haven't done that," says Bring.
Over 30 children killed
On Friday, Unicef announced that at least 33 children were killed in the attacks. Another 150 children were injured.
This brings the total number of children killed or injured in Lebanon since March 2, according to Unicef.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam believes that Israel's attacks violate international law.
"I agree with that. Israel has the right to attack in self-defense, but the right to self-defense implies respect for the civilian population and the principle of proportionality, and they have not been able to do that. Therefore, it is in violation of international law," says Ove Bring.
“Security Council paralyzed”
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas writes on X that Israel's right to self-defense does not justify the massive destruction caused.
Leaders in countries including France and Germany have expressed concern about the attacks and want to see the ceasefire between the US and Iran also apply to Lebanon. Even Pakistan, a mediating country, has stated that Lebanon should be included in the agreement.
Ove Bring does not believe that Israel's attacks will have any direct legal consequences.
"Theoretically, the UN Security Council could act and stop a violation of international law, but that won't happen. The Security Council is paralyzed."
Over the past 50 years, Israel has entered Lebanon with ground forces on seven occasions.
Israel's opponent in Lebanon, the Shiite Muslim movement Hezbollah, is a militia and political party. It was founded partly with Iranian help after Israel's occupation of southern Lebanon in the 1980s. It acts as a proxy for Iran in conflicts in the Middle East and has been partly labeled a terrorist organization by the EU and the US.
The long-running conflict flared up again in connection with the Gaza War. A ceasefire was reached in 2024 that required both Hezbollah and Israel to withdraw from a buffer zone in southern Lebanon. The parties have accused each other of violating it.
In the spring of 2026, fighting broke out again when Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel in response to Israel's war with Iran. Israeli ground forces have advanced further into Lebanon, hundreds of thousands have been displaced, and there are warnings of a lasting occupation.
