Following the directives of the Prime Minister, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants instructed Lebanon's permanent representative to the United Nations to file a complaint on February 15, 2024, with the Security Council in light of a series of Israeli attacks on February 14, 2024, targeting civilian sites, which are considered among the most violent and deadly since October 8 of last year.
The complaint states that an Israeli drone targeted an apartment building in the city of Nabatiyeh in southern Lebanon with a guided missile, resulting in the death of 10 people, including women and children. This figure is not final as search operations for more victims under the rubble continue. The raid caused severe damage to the targeted building, making it at risk of collapse due to significant cracks, prompting other residents to evacuate the building. Additionally, neighboring residential buildings, parked vehicles on the road, and the electricity and telephone networks were also damaged.
On the same day, another Israeli airstrike hit the home of Lebanese Jalal Mohsen in the town of Al-Sawana in southern Lebanon, leading to the deaths of his wife and two children, aged 13 years and 2 years. Given that international humanitarian law guarantees the protection of civilians, Israel's deliberate and direct bombardment of unarmed civilians in their homes is regarded as a violation of international humanitarian law and a war crime, rendering all those involved, whether directly or indirectly, liable to international responsibility.
This also constitutes a violation of Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as that of its citizens, and contravenes all United Nations resolutions requiring Israel to cease its violations of Lebanese sovereignty and end its occupation of its lands, including Resolution 1701 (2006).
It is concerning that this escalation occurs at a time when international efforts are intensifying and diplomatic movements are underway for a ceasefire, particularly as Lebanon has affirmed its rejection of war and presented a roadmap for achieving sustainable security in southern Lebanon. This compels us to urge the international community to pressure Israel to curb its ongoing escalating attacks.
The complaint further calls for the members of the Security Council to collectively condemn the Israeli attacks against Lebanon to prevent the deterioration of the situation and the expansion of the war. It also reiterates the demand for the Security Council to provide a clear condemnation of Israel's direct, deliberate, and repeated targeting of civilians.
Lebanon once again requested the Security Council to condemn this latest aggression, pressure Israel to halt the escalation, and take all necessary measures to stop Israeli attacks on its territory and people to prevent exacerbating the conflict and dragging the entire region into a comprehensive and devastating war that will be difficult to contain.
