Lebanon rescinded its previous decision to authorize the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate alleged war crimes on its soil, a move deplored by Human Rights Watch (HRW) as a lost 'historic opportunity.' Since October, Israel and Hezbollah have exchanged fire, resulting in around 80 civilian casualties in Lebanon.

Although Lebanon’s caretaker cabinet initially voted to authorize the ICC investigation, Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib never filed the declaration.

On Tuesday, the cabinet revised the decision, opting instead to lodge complaints with the United Nations.

HRW’s Ramzi Kaiss criticized the reversal, emphasizing that Lebanon’s calls for accountability now appear hollow.

The reversal came shortly after the ICC requested arrest warrants for Israeli and Hamas leaders.