Civilians, journalists, health workers and United Nations personnel in Lebanon have been systematically targeted by the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF), with total disregard for international humanitarian law.
The IOF assassinated three journalists in one attack
On Saturday, March 28, Israeli warplanes targeted a clearly marked press vehicle with four precision missiles on the Jezzine road, in southern Lebanon. Three journalists were killed and a number of others were wounded in the onslaught.
The slain journalists were identified as:
- Almayadeen’s reporter Fatima Ftouni.
- Freelance cameraman Mohammad Ftouni, who is also Fatima’s brother.
- Al-Manar TV correspondent Ali Shoaib.
The IOF claimed that it struck the vehicle to assassinate Shoaib, whom it accused of being a Hezbollah intelligence operative. However, no evidence was provided to prove the accusation.
Israel used the same justification to assassinate dozens of other journalists during its genocidal aggression across West Asia, mainly in the Gaza strip, in an attempt to silence voices exposing its crimes.
Read more: Israel assassinates wounded Palestinian journalist Hassan Islayeh in Gaza’s Nasser hospital
Cuban president brands the assassination of the three journalists a “vile act”
The president of Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel, condemned the murder of the three Lebanese journalists in a post on X:
“We deeply lament the murder in southern Lebanon of the communicators Fatima Ftouni, Mohammad Ftouni, and Ali Choeib; and we join in the condemnation of this vile act by the Zionist regime of Israel, which once again turns its cannons toward those who, courageously, recount the horrors of the war against the brethren Lebanese people.”
Journalists are not legitimate targets, regardless of the outlet they work for, says CPJ
Meanwhile, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said in a statement that it emailed the IOF, requesting further information on the assassination of the three journalists, without being provided any evidence that supports Israel’s claims regarding Shoaib.
The committee indicated that Israel has, for decades, used the same pattern of accusations to target journalists “without providing credible evidence”.
“We have seen a disturbing pattern in this war and in the decades prior of Israel accusing journalists of being active combatants and terrorists without providing credible evidence. Journalists are not legitimate targets, regardless of the outlet they work for,” CPJ stated, adding that Israel has killed 11 media workers in Lebanon since October, 2023.
Israel used similar accusations to assassinate nine health workers
At least nine Lebanese paramedics were killed in multiple Israeli attacks on ambulances and health facilities in different parts of Lebanon on Saturday, March 28.
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the IOF waged 87 attacks on healthcare across Lebanon since it escalated its aggression on the Arab country in early March. The attacks resulted in the killing of 52 health workers, with 126 others injured.
To justify the deliberate targeting of the Lebanese healthcare system, the IOF alleged that Hezbollah uses ambulances and medical facilities for military purposes.
“We reiterate our warning that the military use of medical facilities and ambulances must cease immediately, and clarify that if it does not stop, Israel will act in accordance with international law against any military activity of the Hezbollah terror organization,” IOF spokesperson Avichay Adraee, said.
Lebanese-American journalist Rania Khalek debunked the allegation used by the IOF to target Lebanese medics, arguing that it lacks evidence and is against international law.
“The Israeli Arabic language spokesperson has once again issued a threat against Lebanese medics, claiming, without evidence and against international law, that ambulances are being used by Hezbollah and are therefore fair game,” Khalek noted.
She also blamed the international community for its complete inaction to stop such crimes, saying:
“The Israelis have killed over 50 healthcare workers in Lebanon in one month. These crimes are publicly pre-meditated and the world can barely muster a shrug.”
Three Indonesian UN peacekeepers killed in Lebanon in 24 hours
UN personnel have also been targeted during Israel’s genocidal aggression against the West Asian country.
At least two Indonesian peacekeepers were killed on Monday, March 30, “when an explosion of unknown origin destroyed their vehicle” near the village of Bani Hayyan in southern Lebanon, according to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
The incident took place one day after the UNIFIL announced the killing of another Indonesian peacekeeper, “when a projectile exploded” in one of its positions near the southern Lebanese municipality of Adchit al Qusayr.
Lebanese Health Ministry: 1,247 killed in Israel’s aggression since March 2
The Lebanese Health Ministry revealed in a statement issued on Monday that 1,247 people have been killed, and 3,680 others injured since Israel escalated its aggression on Lebanon on March 2.
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