The following questions and answers set out some of the legal rules governing the various actions taken by Israel and Hezbollah to date in this recent conflict. Human Rights Watch sets out these rules before it has been able to conduct extensive on-the-ground investigation. The purpose is to provide analytic guidance for those who are examining the fighting as well as for the parties to the conflict and those with the capacity to influence them. This Q & A addresses only the rules of international humanitarian law, known as jus in bello, which govern the way each party to the armed conflict must conduct itself in the course of the hostilities. Read more about Questions and answers on hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah 

Apart from the thundering of Israeli jets, it is silent in Haret Hreyk, a normally lively neighbourhood in south Beirut, in which most of Hizbullah’s offices are located. Shops are sealed, homes are closed and most inhabitants have left. Israeli planes have dropped flyers warning people to stay away from areas in which “Hizbullah is present and active”. During the last few days, several Hizbullah buildings have been hit by Israeli missiles, including the Al-Manar television station. “Hizbullah evacuated all buildings last Thursday,” said one remaining shopkeeper. Read more about Life goes on as Israeli attacks continue 

Aid workers say that hundreds of people have been displaced from the south of the country and from the suburbs of the capital, all areas which have come under heavy Israeli attack in recent days. While accurate statistics are not yet available, ICRC officials say they have received reports from local sources that an estimated 3,400 people have been displaced from southern villages on the border with Israel, with many residents reportedly fleeing to the nearby city of Tyre. Additionally, some 2,600 internally displaced people – mostly from the outskirts of Beirut and from the south – remain in and around the capital. Read more about Hundreds displaced by Israeli attacks, say aid workers 

DAMASCUS - The government has facilitated the entry into Syria of thousands of Arab and foreign tourists who, for the last four days, have been fleeing Israeli aggression in Lebanon. This has led some to hope that Syria’s attitude could help in mending the frosty relations between the Lebanese and the Syrian governments. Lebanese parliamentarian George Jabbour said that Syria’s assistance “would contribute in getting the two countries’ relations to normal.” He added that Syria “feels now that it is its duty to support Lebanon at this delicate time.” Read more about Syria: Damascus eases border crossing 

Following a Security Council meeting today to discuss the escalating crisis in the Middle East, its President called on all “concerned sides and parties” to fully cooperate with a high-level United Nations team – which includes Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s Special Political Adviser – that has been sent to the region. “The Security Council welcomes the Secretary-General’s decision to dispatch to the Middle East a senior-level team,” the 15-member body said in a statement to the press read out by its President for July, Ambassador Jean-Marc de la Sablière of France. “The Security Council calls on all concerned states and parties to extend their full cooperation to the team.” Read more about Security Council calls on all sides in Middle East to cooperate with UN team