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

Press Statement by James P. Rubin, Spokesman
May 7, 1999

On Behalf of the Chairman of the
Lebanon-Israel Monitoring Group

The Monitoring Group met on May 5-6, 1999, at the UNIFIL Headquarters compound in Naqura, Lebanon to consider five complaints of violation of the April 26, 1996 Understanding, three filed by Israel and six filed by Lebanon.

With regard to the Israeli complaints concerning two attacks initiated by a Lebanese armed group on April 24, 1999 in the area of Haddatha and el-Mansouri/Majdal Zun, there was no agreement on whether the launching sites were 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 and, to this end, urged those launching attacks to err on the side of caution in selecting firing sites where there could be a risk of civilian casualties and property damage as a result of counter-fire.

With regard to the Lebanese complaints concerning Khirbat Silm, Jarjouaa, and Jibal al-Butm, the Monitoring Group acknowledged that on April 27, 1999, following an attack initiated by a Lebanese armed group against a military target, one 155mm round fired by Israeli forces impacted near an inhabited house in Khirbat Silm, damaging a walled house fence. The Monitoring Group also acknowledged that on April 27, 1999, following an attack initiated by a Lebanese armed group against a military target, eight 120mm rounds fired by Israel and those cooperating with it impacted in Jarjouaa, injuring two civilians and damaging five houses and an electrical net. With regard to Jibal al-Butm, the Monitoring Group acknowledged that on April 28, 1999, one 160mm round fired by Israel or those cooperating with it impacted in the village, damaging a walled house fence. The Monitoring Group concluded that these three incidents constituted violations of the Understanding and called on Israel to take effective measures to ensure that such incidents are not repeated.

With regard to the Lebanese complaint concerning Nabatieh el-Fawka, the Lebanese delegate stated that on April 27, 1999, following an attack initiated by a Lebanese armed group against a military target, three 81mm rounds impacted in the village, damaging a house. With regard to the Israeli complaint concerning Maknouni, the Israeli delegate stated that on April 27, 1999, during the course of an attack initiated by a Lebanese armed group against a military target, a mortar shell impacted in the village, damaging one house. In response to these violation complaints, the Israeli and

Lebanese delegates respectively stated that had no knowledge of any firing at the times and places indicated by the other side. They added they would further investigate the respective complaints and report back to the Monitoring Group as appropriate.

With regard to the Lebanese complaint concerning Zibqin, the Monitoring Group acknowledged that on May 4, 1999, three air-to-surface missiles fired toward the village by Israeli Air Force helicopters destroyed one house and damaged 18 others. With regard to the Lebanese complaint concerning Baalbek, the Monitoring Group acknowledged that on the same evening, two air-to-surface missiles fired toward the city by Israeli aircraft injured five civilians, destroyed a public building, and damaged a mosque, a cemetery, and the electricity network. In addition, several dozen houses sustained broken glass and other minor damage. The Monitoring Group expressed its strong disapproval of these incidents, which constitute violations of the Understanding and which have resulted in a grave situation with civilian casualties and extensive property damage. The Monitoring Group also called on Israel to desist from a repetition of such incidents in the future, which can contribute to a serious increase in tensions and to a deterioration of the situation. It also called on Israel to more effectively implement its commitment pursuant to the April Understanding not to target civilians or their property in Lebanon.

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

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