Other State Department Archive Sites

The State Department web site below is a permanent electronic archive of information released online from January 1, 1997 to January 20, 2001. Please see www.state.gov for current material from the Department of State. Or visit http://2001-2009.state.gov for information from that period. Archive sites are not updated, so external links may no longer function. Contact us with any questions about finding information. NOTE: External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views contained therein.

U.S. Department of State Office of the Spokesman Press Statement

Press Statement by James P. Rubin, Spokesman
December 2, 1998

The Monitoring Group met on November 30, 1998 at the UNIFIL Headquarters compound in Naqura, Lebanon to consider fifteen complaints of violation of the April 26, 1996 Understanding, nine filed by Israel and six filed by Lebanon.

The Monitoring Group acknowledged that on November 19, 21 and 23, 1998, several rounds were fired by a Lebanese armed group from near a group of six houses in the area of Jba'a in violation of the Understanding. The Group called upon Lebanon to continue its efforts with a view to decisively ensuring that neither civilians nor their property are put at risk in Jba'a.

The Monitoring Group acknowledged that on November 19, 1998, three mortar rounds were fired by a Lebanese armed group from Kabrikha and that on November 26, 1998, thirteen mortar rounds were fired by a Lebanese armed group from Majdel-Slim, in violation of the Understanding. The Monitoring Group acknowledged also that on November 23, 1998, four mortar rounds and three anti-aircraft rockets were fired by a Lebanese armed group from Kfar-Tibnit, and two mortar rounds from Nabatieh El-Fowka, in violation of the Understanding.

With regard to the Israeli complaint concerning the shelling of two mortar rounds from Hadatha on November 20, 1998, there was no agreement on whether the launching site was in a civilian populated area. The Monitoring Group stressed the importance of ensuring that civilian lives and property are not put at risk in the course of military operations.

The Monitoring Group acknowledged that on November 20, 1998, following an attack by a Lebanese armed group against a military target, one 60mm. round fired by Israel and those cooperating with it impacted in Baraachit, damaging one house, that on November 22, 1998, one 105mm. round fired by Israel and those cooperating with it impacted in Haris, damaging one house, and that both actions were in violation of the Understanding.

The Monitoring Group acknowledged that on November 23, 1998, at least twenty rounds fired by Israel and those cooperating with it in the course of a military action initiated by a Lebanese armed group against a military target, impacted in Kfar-Tibnit, injuring four civilians and damaging twenty-two houses, one store and ten cars in violation of the Understanding.

The Monitoring Group acknowledged that on November 23, 1998, one 155mm. round fired by Israel impacted near Jarjoo, damaging one car, and that several 155, 120 and 81mm rounds fired by Israel and those cooperating with it in the course of a military action initiated by a Lebanese armed group against a military target, impacted in Nabatieh El-Fowka, damaging three houses, a hospital building, one store, one car, the electrical transformer, and killing two cows and injuring several others, in violation of the Understanding.

With regard to the second Lebanese complaint concerning Kfar-Tibnit, the Lebanese delegate stated that on November 25, 1998, three launcher rounds fired by Israel and those cooperating with it, impacted in the village, damaging one house. The Israeli delegate stated that Israel had no information about any firing by its side on that day at that location and time. The Monitoring Group stressed the importance of ensuring that civilian lives and property are not put at risk in the course of military operations.

The Monitoring Group welcomed the reaffirmation by Israel and Lebanon of their commitment to the Understanding as well as their readiness to make continued efforts to strengthen compliance with its provisions, with a view to ensuring that civilian populated areas are not used as either launching grounds or targets of attacks. The Monitoring Group urged that combatants in all circumstances desist from operations that directly or indirectly endanger the lives and property of civilians.

The Monitoring Group expressed its great appreciation to UNIFIL for providing facilities and support for the meeting.

[end of document]

|| Press Statements Index | State Department Home Page ||

This is an official U.S. government source for information on the World Wide Web. Inclusion of non-U.S. Government links does not imply endorsement of contents.