The United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, has condemned Israel’s recent air strikes on municipal buildings in Nabatieh, southern Lebanon, which killed the city’s mayor, Ahmad Kahil, and 15 others. Hennis-Plasschaert described the killing as “alarming” and emphasized that any violations of international humanitarian law are “completely unacceptable”.
The air strikes, which targeted a council meeting, have sparked widespread concern about the safety of Lebanon’s state infrastructure. Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, denounced the attack, stating that it was intentionally directed at the council meeting.
At least five municipal staff members, who were coordinating aid for civilians, lost their lives in the strike, according to Nabatiyeh Governor Howaida Turk. Turk emphasized that the mayor and other municipal employees had remained in the area to assist those in need, despite the majority of residents having fled.
“This is just like strikes all over Lebanon,” Turk said. “They [Israel] have hit civilians, Red Cross, civil defence. Now they have targeted a government building. It is unacceptable. It is a massacre.”
Israel’s UN Ambassador, Danny Danon, justified the strikes, saying that Hezbollah often exploits civilian facilities. However, human rights organizations have criticized Israel’s warnings as “inadequate” and “misleading”.
The air strikes have destroyed historic buildings, including an Ottoman-era market, and have raised concerns about the scope and nature of Israel’s bombing campaign. The US has urged restraint and expressed concerns over the bombing of Beirut.
In a separate incident, Israel launched an air strike on the Christian village of Aitou, killing 23 people, including 12 women and two children. The UN human rights office has called for an investigation into the strike, citing concerns about international humanitarian law.
