Morkos: Targeting Journalists Is a War Crime and an Ongoing Campaign of Intimidation… Calls for Urgent International Action

Minister of Information Paul Morkos issued the following statement:

“Once again, we are struck by the martyrdom of journalists. We strongly condemn and denounce Israel’s repeated and deliberate targeting of journalists, as we were shocked today by the killing of journalists Ali Shuaib, Fatima Fattouhi, and her brother, photojournalist Mohammad Fattouhi, while they were carrying out their professional duties in Jezzine.”

He said that “what happened constitutes a deliberate and documented war crime against the media and the mission of journalism, adding to a growing record of attacks targeting media outlets and journalists.”

He noted: “Two days ago, we submitted to the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, a detailed list of attacks against media personnel and medical teams in Lebanon. Yesterday, we also sent the information we compiled to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants, which is continuing, with appreciation, to prepare a dedicated file for the necessary action, complaint, and protest. We will also submit a similar list on Wednesday to the European Union Ambassador to Lebanon, Sandra De Waele.”

He called on the international community to take “immediate international action to help us put an end to this bloody approach and ensure accountability.”