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Press Statement by James P. Rubin, Spokesman
The Monitoring Group met on June 1-2, 1999, at the UNIFIL Headquarters compound in Naqura, Lebanon to consider sixteen complaints of violation of the April 26, 1996 Understanding, eleven filed by Lebanon and five filed by Israel. The Monitoring Group acknowledged that on May 18, 1999, several medium machine-gun bursts fired by Israel and those cooperating with it injured two civilians in Yohmor Eshakif, in violation of the Understanding. The Monitoring Group acknowledged that on May 21 and May 22, 1999, seven and twelve mortar rounds were respectively fired by a Lebanese armed group from the area of Jba'a. The Monitoring Group concluded that these firings did not take place in a civilian populated area but in the vicinity of structures which were described as ruins by the Lebanese delegate. The Monitoring Group also acknowledged that five of the twelve mortar rounds mentioned above impacted in Aramta, two of which damaged one house and killed sheep and goats, in violation of the Understanding. The Monitoring Group acknowledged that on May 23, 1999, following a Lebanese armed group attack against a military target, three tank rounds fired by Israel and those cooperating with it injured two civilians in Mansouri, in violation of the Understanding. The Monitoring Group acknowledged that on May 25, 1999, following a Lebanese armed group attack against a military target, one tank round and one flechette round fired by Israel and those cooperating with it damaged two houses in Kfar Tibnite, in violation of the Understanding. The Monitoring Group acknowledged that on May 26, 1999, two 120mm mortar rounds fired by a Lebanese armed group impacted in Bayada, one of which damaged one house, in violation of the Understanding. With regard to the Lebanese complaint concerning Tibnine, the Monitoring Group acknowledged that on May 27, 1999, heavy machine-gun bursts fired by Israel or those cooperating with it resulted in an injury to a civilian in the area of Tibnine, in violation of the Understanding. The Monitoring Group acknowledged that on May 28, 1999, five road-side bombs were placed in the village of Shihin by a Lebanese armed group, in violation of the Understanding. The Monitoring Group acknowledged that on May 28, 1999, numerous 120mm and 155mm rounds fired by Israel or those cooperating with it impacted in Jba'a, damaging 15 houses, 3 cars, the electrical net and waterpipes. The Monitoring Group also acknowledged that on May 29, 1999, three 155mm rounds impacted in the same village, damaging three houses and the electrical net. The Monitoring Group also acknowledged that on June 1, 1990, three bombs released by Israeli aircraft impacted in Jba'a, injuring two civilians, destroying one house, and damaging two cars, a school, twenty-one houses, the electrical net, and the water system. The Monitoring Group concluded that these three attacks were violations of the Understanding and called on Israel to ensure that its military operations do not put civilians at risk, either unintentionally or intentionally, in a manner that could lead in the future to condemnable consequences for civilians. The Monitoring Group acknowledged that on May 29, 1999, following a Lebanese armed group attack against a military target, at least three shells fired by Israel or those cooperating with it impacted in Arab-Salim, damaging a school, a house and the electrical net in violation of the Understanding. The Monitoring Group called on Israel to ensure more effective implementation of the provisions of the Understanding which prohibit the targeting of civilians. With regard to the Lebanese complaint concerning Yohmor, the Monitoring Group acknowledged that several launcher grenades impacted in Yohmor, damaging three houses. The Lebanese delegate stated that Israel and those cooperating with it were responsible for the firing and that the attack constituted a violation of the Understanding. The Israeli delegate stated that he had no knowledge of any firing at the time and place indicated by the Lebanese side. With regard to the Lebanese complaints concerning Tuline and Baraachit, the Monitoring Group acknowledged that on May 31, 1999, following a Lebanese armed group attack on a military target, one 120mm round fired by Israel or those cooperating with it injured a woman and damaged two houses in Tuline; and that on May 31, 1999, following a Lebanese armed group attack against a military target, one 120mm round fired by Israel or those cooperating with it damaged three houses in Baraachit. The Monitoring Group concluded that these two attacks were violations of the Understanding. The Monitoring Group expressed concern over the proliferation of serious incidents in recent weeks, which have either intentionally or unintentionally resulted in an increase of civilian casualties and property damage. The Group strongly urged that the highest priority be given to the protection of civilians, in accordance with the provisions of the Understanding. Specifically, the Monitoring Group urged that Israel and those cooperating with it act to ensure that the Understanding's provisions against attacks on civilians and civilian populated areas are fully respected. The Group also urged that Lebanon act to ensure that Lebanese armed groups do not put civilians and their property at risk in the carrying out of their military operations. The Monitoring Group expresses its great appreciation to UNIFIL for providing facilities and support for the meeting. [end of document]
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