The president of Lebanon, Joseph Aounand the prime minister, Nawaf Salamthey condemned this Thursday as “war crimes” and “crimes against humanity” he murder of journalists in Israeli attacks, following the death on Wednesday of Amal Khalillocal newspaper reporter Al Akhbarin an Israeli bombing in the south of the country.
“Israel’s deliberate and direct attacks against journalists are aimed hide the truth about their acts of aggression against Lebanon. “These acts constitute crimes against humanity, punishable under international laws and conventions, and should motivate the international community to intervene and put an end to them,” Aoun said.
In a statement from the Lebanese Presidency, the president presented his condolences to the family of the journalist, affected by an Israeli attack against the southern Lebanese town of At Tiri, and who – he added – “has joined the ranks of journalists martyrs who preceded her on the path of martyrdom in the South”.
For his part, Salam regretted that “the Israeli attacks against journalists in southern Lebanon while carrying out their professional work are no longer an isolated incident, but a pattern “Attacking journalists, preventing the access of humanitarian aid teams and even attacking their locations again once these teams have arrived constitute war crimes,” added the prime minister, after affirming that Lebanon “will spare no effort to pursue these crimes before the relevant international forums.”
Transfer of the coffin with the remains of journalist Amal Khalil in Baisariyah, southern Lebanon, this Thursday. / POOR HAMZEH / EFE
Israel denies targeting journalists
The diary Al Akhbar reported this Wednesday that the Israeli Army attacked the car in which Khalil was traveling and later the house in which he had taken shelter. The informant was not found until late at night. A second reporter was also injured in the attack in At Tiri.
Israel denies targeting journalists, although humanitarian and press organizations have repeatedly expressed concern about the safety of informants in areas of Israeli military operations.
All this occurred despite the cease-fire in force between both countries since last Friday and waiting for a second round of dialogue between them to take place this Thursday in Washington.
At Tiri is located near the city of Bint Jbeil, one of the main scenes of clashes between Israel and the Lebanese Shiite group. Hezbollah to the entry into force of the cessation of hostilities, as well as an area where more deliberate destruction is reported these days.
At the end of March, an Israeli attack on a vehicle in Jezzine, also in southern Lebanon, killed a well-known reporter from Al Manar television, a journalist from the Al Mayadin channel and a cameraman.
