President Aoun condemns Israeli strike killing journalists on Jezzine road

Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun strongly condemned the Israeli strike that killed journalists Ali Cheaib, Fatima Ftouni, and Mohammad Ftouni on the Jezzine road.

In a statement, President Aoun said: “Once again, the Israeli aggression violates the most basic rules of international law, international humanitarian law, and the laws of war by targeting journalists, who are ultimately civilians performing a professional duty.’’

He added, “This is a blatant crime that violates all norms and treaties granting journalists international protection in times of war, according to the 1949 Geneva Conventions and their protocols, specifically Article 79 of the First Additional Protocol (1977), as well as U.N. Security Council Resolution 1738 (2006), which prohibits targeting journalists and media personnel unless they take a direct part in hostilities.’’

Aoun concluded, “We strongly condemn this attack, call on all international bodies to act to stop what is happening on our soil, and extend our condolences to the families of the martyrs and to the journalistic and media community in Lebanon.”