04 February 2000
Text: Lebanon-Israel Monitoring Group Considers Thirty Complaints
(Monitoring Group expresses concern about accumulation of incidents) (1150) The Lebanon-Israel Monitoring Group met February 2-3, 2000, in Naqura, Lebanon, to consider thirty complaints of violation of the April 26, 1996 Understanding, fourteen filed by Israel and sixteen filed by Lebanon, Deputy Spokesman James Foley said February 4 in a statement on behalf of the Chairman of the Monitoring Group. "The Monitoring Group expressed concern about the accumulation of incidents which impact on civilians and raise tensions, and called on all sides to work on an urgent basis to strengthen their compliance with the Understanding," Foley said. Following is the text of Foley's statement: (begin text) U.S. Department of State Office of the Spokesman February 4, 2000 STATEMENT BY JAMES B. FOLEY, DEPUTY SPOKESMAN On Behalf of the Chairman of the Lebanon-Israel Monitoring Group The Monitoring Group met on February 2-3, 2000, at the UNIFIL Headquarters compound in Naqura, Lebanon, to consider thirty complaints of violation of the April 26, 1996 Understanding, fourteen filed by Israel and sixteen filed by Lebanon. The Monitoring Group considered eight Israeli complaints concerning attacks initiated by Lebanese armed groups from civilian populated areas between January 22 and February 1, 2000. In regard to these complaints, the Monitoring Group acknowledged that: three mortar rounds were fired from Qabrikha on January 22; two mortar rounds were fired from Majdel Silm on January 24; three mortar rounds were fired from Qabrikha on January 25; four mortar rounds were fired from El Mansouri on January 26; one anti-aircraft shell was fired from Essawanc on January 30; twenty-nine mortar rounds were fired from Majdel Silm on January 30; seven mortar rounds were fired from Shaqra on January 30; and, three mortar rounds were fired from Shukin on January 31. The Monitoring Group concluded that these incidents constituted violations of the Understanding and called on Lebanon to ensure that military operations of its side are conducted in a way that does not put civilians at risk. With regard to the Israeli complaints concerning Debel and Hula, the Monitoring Group acknowledged that on January 30, 2000, a side-bomb was detonated near a building on the outskirts of the village of Debel. While that were differing views concerning the nature of these two incidents, the Monitoring Group reaffirmed the importance of abiding by the April Understanding, which prohibits launching attacks from or against civilian populated areas. With regard to Hula, the Monitoring Group acknowledged that three side-bombs placed near populated houses were discovered on February 1, 2000. The Monitoring Group concluded that placing such weapons in civilian populated areas constitutes a violation of the Understanding. With regard to the Israeli complaints concerning Shamaa and Tel-Kabaa, the Monitoring Group acknowledged that three mortar rounds fired by a Lebanese armed group impacted in Shamaa on January 23, 2000, damaging one house, in violation of the Understanding. The Monitoring Group also acknowledged differing views as to whether the abduction of three individuals from Tel-Kabaa by a Lebanese group on January 22, 2000, fell within the scope of the April Understanding. The Monitoring Group reaffirmed that the intent of the April Understanding is to protect civilians and, in this context, called on all sides to work to prevent situations in which civilians are drawn into the circle of violence and confrontation. With regard to the Israeli complaint concerning Margaliyot, the Monitoring Group acknowledged that on January 30, 2000, an anti-aircraft shell fired by a Lebanese armed group against a military target damaged a kindergarten office in the Israeli town of Margaliyot, in violation of the Understanding. The Monitoring Group also considered nine Lebanese complaints concerning incidents of counter-fire by Israel or those cooperating with it, which occurred between January 22 and January 31, 2000, and which resulted in civilian injuries and/or property damage. In this regard, the Monitoring group acknowledged that Israeli counter-fire damaged one house in Kfar Tibnite on January 22; damaged five houses in Nabarieh el-Fowka on January 24; resulted in civilian injury and damaged six houses and the telephone and electrical nets in Kfar Roumman on January 26; damaged one house in Arab Salim on January 26; injured four civilians, destroyed one building and damaged at least thirty-six houses in Kafra on January 30; injured one civilian and damaged three houses and one truck in Yatar on January 30; injured two civilians and damaged some sixty houses in Aita-el-Jabal on January 30; damaged seven houses in Haddatha on January 30; and, damaged three houses, a shop, and a car in Haddatha on January31. The Monitoring Group concluded that these actions, three of which were the result of Israeli air strikes and six which were the result of artillery or mortar fire by Israel or those cooperating with it, constituted violations of the Understanding. The Monitoring Group also considered six other Lebanese complaints concerning civilian injuries and property damage caused by either Israeli air strikes or artillery or mortar fire by Israel or those cooperating with it. In this regard, the Monitoring Group acknowledged that fire by Israel or those cooperating with it damaged one truck in Yohmor on January 23; injured one civilian in Kfar Roumman on January 23; injured two civilians, destroyed one building, and damaged six houses and the electrical net in Jbaa on January 25; damaged one car in Arab Salim on January 28; damaged four shops in Ayn Bousswar on January 30; damaged one house in Ayn Qana on January 30. The Monitoring Group concluded that these actions constituted violations of the Understanding and called on Israel, in both counter-fire and other firing situations, to take greater precautions to ensure that its military operations do not result in civilian injuries or property damage. With regard to the Lebanese and Israeli complaints concerning Khirbet Silm the Monitoring Group acknowledged that on January 31, 2000, a truck carrying anti-aircraft artillery mounted on it entered Khirbet Silm and parked in the cemetery. The Israeli delegate stated that the vehicle was targeted because it was previously involved in launching attacks. The Lebanese delegate stated that due to military necessities the vehicle in question might have been compelled to pass through the village without carrying out any military operation from inside the village. The Monitoring Group also acknowledged that the Israeli air strike on the same day damaged over hundred houses and shops in Khirbet Silm and concluded that this action was a violation of the Understanding. The Monitoring Group expressed concern about the accumulation of incidents which impact on civilians and raise tensions, and called on all sides to work on an urgent basis to strengthen their compliance with the Understanding. The Monitoring group expressed its great appreciation to UNIFIL for providing facilities and support for the meeting. (end text) (Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State.)
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