Lebanese Minister of Information: Israel deliberately assassinates journalists on our territory – CNN Economics

In an exclusive interview with (CNN Al-Iqtisadiah), the Lebanese Minister of Information, Ziad Makari, accused Israel of responsibility for the recent killings of journalists, describing them as direct targeting of journalists by Israel, especially since they occurred in places where distinctive signs of media professionals appear, whether on their clothes or equipment.

Two journalists from Al-Mayadeen TV, in addition to a civilian, were killed today, Tuesday, in an Israeli bombing in southern Lebanon, according to what was reported by the National News Agency, which brings the total toll since the morning to four dead, after a woman was killed in an Israeli raid on another area, as announced by Al-Mayadeen TV. » It “mourns the martyrs, reporter Farah Omar and photographer Rabih al-Maamari, as a result of treacherous Israeli targeting” in southern Lebanon.

There is no differentiation in targeting

Makari added in his speech that this attack occurred in the light of day, which increases the possibility of Israel committing this criminal act intentionally, and he said, “I would like to say that Israel, of course, always targets journalists, and does not distinguish between those it targets, whether they are children or the elderly.” Or journalists or even doctors in medical teams? Targeting journalists is clearly linked to the policy of concealing the truth and the barbarism practiced by Israel. This clearly reflects a lack of commitment to the principles of law and justice, and underscores the importance of speaking the truth and providing justice in this context.

Makari said that the Lebanese authorities will submit a complaint to the Security Council regarding this event, as they did with the killing of Issam Abdullah last month on the Lebanese-Israeli border, and the country has also submitted a letter to the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva.

While talking about the crime, Makari pointed out that there are indications that Israel may be behind this attack on journalists, and that work will be done to present this physical and criminal evidence to the Security Council.

In conclusion, the Lebanese Minister stressed the importance of protecting journalists and taking the necessary measures to ensure their safety in the future, and said: “We asked the press crews to intensify measures to protect them.”

The finger of blame points to Israel

Commenting on the event, Riad Kahwaji, an expert in military affairs, said that it is difficult to definitively determine who was responsible for the killing of journalists on Tuesday, as the matter requires greater investigations to identify the responsible party, but he pointed out that there are many indications that point to Israel’s responsibility for the incident. .

He pointed out that the targeted journalists were wearing the distinctive jackets and headgear of journalists, which increases the possibility of them being deliberately targeted, explaining that this is not the first time that media professionals have been targeted.

This is the third time that Israel has targeted journalists in the past 40 days, and Qahwaji cited in his speech the incident of targeting the Al Jazeera team and Reuters photographer Issam Abdullah in October.