Beirut: Agencies - Europe and the Arabs
Lebanon announced that its Permanent Mission to the United Nations had filed a complaint against Israel before the UN Security Council, accusing it of intentionally killing journalists, according to Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper.
The Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a statement on Wednesday evening that the filing of the complaint came “following Israel’s commission of the new crime described, represented by its deliberate killing of journalist Farah Omar and photographer Rabei Al-Maamari, who worked for Al-Mayadeen Channel, in addition to the Lebanese citizen Hussein Aqeel.”
The statement stressed that the Israeli strike “inside Lebanese territory, a long distance from the Blue Line, constitutes a blatant violation of international law in all its ramifications, a violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and an attack on civilians.”
Lebanon asked the UN Security Council to shoulder its responsibilities in condemning Israel as a result of its commission of this described crime.
It is noteworthy that Al-Mayadeen Channel had previously mourned its correspondent, Farah Omar, and photographer, Rabih Maamari, who were killed in an Israeli bombing that targeted a gathering of journalists in southern Lebanon.
Last week, Israel prevented Al-Mayadeen TV from being broadcast in areas under its control, accusing it of “attempting to harm Israeli security interests in times of war and serving the enemy’s goals.”
This came after Hezbollah officially mourned 5 of its fighters, in a raid launched by Israel in southern Lebanon, in a strong blow that opens the door to a major escalation.
The party announced in successive announcements the killing of 5 of its members, including Abbas Muhammad Raad “Siraj” (son of the head of the Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc in Parliament, Muhammad Raad) from the town of Jbaa in southern Lebanon, Khalil Jawad Shehimi “Siraj” from the town of Markaba in southern Lebanon, and Ahmed Hassan. Mustafa “Hula Angel” from the town of Houla in southern Lebanon.
The ongoing war between the Israeli occupying state and Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip is witnessing a truce extending for 4 days to exchange prisoners.