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

Press Statement by James B. Foley, Deputy Spokesman
February 16, 1999

On Behalf of the Chairman of the Monitoring Group

The Monitoring Group met on February 11-12, 1999, at the UNIFIL Headquarters compound in Naqura, Lebanon to consider thirteen complaints of violation of the April 26, 1996 Understanding, seven filed by Israel and six filed by Lebanon.

With regard to the three Israeli violation complaints concerning Reihan, all of which involved shelling incidents during the course of operations against military targets, the Monitoring Group acknowledged that on January 26, 1999, one 120 mm round fired by a Lebanese armed group damaged one house and killed 50 goats; that on February 4, 1999, seven 120 mm mortar rounds, fired by a Lebanese armed group, damaged one house and one car; and that on February 6, 1999, one 120 mm round fired by a Lebanese armed group injured a woman and a child and damaged two houses. The Monitoring Group concluded that these shelling actions were in violation of the Understanding.

With regard to the two Lebanese violation complaints concerning Majdel Zoun, the Monitoring Group acknowledged that on February 4, 1999, following an attack initiated by a Lebanese armed group, one 120 mm shell fired by Israel or those cooperating with it damaged one house in the village. The Monitoring Group also acknowledged that on February 9, 1999, following an attack initiated by a Lebanese armed group, two 120 mm rounds fired by Israel or those cooperating with it impacted in the village, damaging two houses. The Monitoring Group concluded that both shelling actions were in violation of the Understanding.

With regard to the two Israeli violation complaints concerning Bayada, the Monitoring Group acknowledged that on February 4 and 6, 1999, during the course of large-scale attacks against military positions, one round fired by a Lebanese armed group impacted in the village, in both cases damaging one house and one car in violation of the Understanding.

With regard to the two Lebanese violation complaints concerning Majdel Silm, the Monitoring Group acknowledged that on February 6, 1999, following attacks initiated by a Lebanese armed group from positions far from Majdel Silm, two 120 mm rounds, including one phosphorous round, fired by Israel or those cooperating with it impacted in the village, damaging two houses and causing serious burn injuries to four civilians, three of them children. The Monitoring Group also acknowledged that shortly afterward on the same day and in similar circumstances, up to 35 rounds fired by Israel or those cooperating with it impacted within a small radius near the center of the village, injuring two civilians and damaging 27 houses and nine cars. The Lebanese delegate stated that the shelling was retaliatory and not the result of firing error. The Israeli delegate stated that the counter-fire, while disproportionate and inaccurate, was designed to disengage an attack and was not retaliatory. The Monitoring Group deplored this grave incident, which constituted a violation of the Understanding. It also called on Israel to take urgent steps to prevent a repetition of such serious incidents and, in this regard, noted the Israeli delegate’s statement that Israel is continuing its investigation of this case, with a view to taking appropriate measures to ensure that such incidents do not reoccur.

With regard to the Lebanese violation complaint concerning Hadatha, the Monitoring Group acknowledged that on February 7, 1999, following an attack against military positions initiated by a Lebanese armed group, five 120 mm and 81 mm rounds fired by Israel or those cooperating with it impacted in the village of Hadatha, damaging two houses, two shops and up to four vehicles, in violation of the Understanding.

With regard to the Lebanese violation complaint concerning Kafr Rumman, the Monitoring Group also acknowledged that on February 10, 1999, several 12.7 mm machinegun rounds fired by Israel or those cooperating with it destroyed a civilian van, in violation of the Understanding.

With regard to the Israeli complaints concerning As-Sawannah and Kiryat Shmona, the Monitoring Group acknowledged that on February 8, 1999, six rounds were fired by a Lebanese armed group from within the village of As-Sawannah, in violation of the Understanding. The Monitoring Group also acknowledged that on February 8, 1999, one anti-aircraft round impacted in Kiryat Shmona. The Israeli delegate stated that this was a violation of the Understanding. The Lebanese delegate stated that Lebanon had no information that such an attack had occurred on that date.

The Monitoring Group positively noted the readiness of both sides to accept responsibility for their actions, and underlined that this contributes to the effective functioning of the Monitoring Group. At the same time, in view of the considerable number of shelling violations, some of which resulted in extremely serious injuries or property damage, the Monitoring Group called on both Lebanon and Israel to take additional and urgent precautions to ensure that their military operations are carried out in strict conformity with the provisions of the Understanding.

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

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