Lebanese Ministry of Information
Information Minister, Attorney Dr. Paul Morcos, held an urgent press conference at the ministry following the targeting of journalists as a result of Israeli attacks in the Jezzine area today, which he began by a minute of silence for the souls of the fallen martyrs.
Morcos said, “We are meeting today as we have lost martyrs for Lebanon and martyrs of the press, as a result of the ongoing Israeli aggression against Lebanon, namely correspondent Fatima Ftouni, cameraman Mohammad Ftouni, and correspondent Ali Shuaib, as well as martyr Corporal Mohammad Tufaili, and a number of paramedics and citizens, George and his son Elie, and a number of Lebanese and Syrian citizens from different segments, especially farmers, and a few days ago, photographer Hussein Hammoud, who was also martyred, and others.”
I specifically mention Article 3 of these conventions, which is common to these conventions, as well as the First Additional Protocol of 1977, specifically Article 79, which stipulates the protection of journalists by name, not just the neutrality of civilians and journalists, but their protection, and Article 13 of the Second Additional Protocol to the Geneva Conventions.”
He added, “It is a moment to remember, reflect, and hold firmly to the international provisions that protect civilians, especially journalists. These provisions are of great importance to us, as they have no equivalence in international law. We do not wish to abandon or forget them, even under pressure to do so, for they are the binding legal and rights-based foundation to which we remain committed.”
Morcos specifically cited herein the four Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their additional protocols, which emphasize the need for special protection in favor of civilians, particularly journalists. He said, “I highlight in particular Article 3 of these conventions, as well as the First Additional Protocol of 1977, especially Article 79, which explicitly provides for the protection of journalists, and Article 13 of the Second Additional Protocol to the Geneva Conventions.”
He continued: “These acts fall under the category of war crimes. We are committed to protecting civilians and journalists, and no state, entity, or party can claim that it is not bound by the provisions of the Rome Statute, which established the International Criminal Court in 1998. Whether these provisions were concluded, ratified, signed, or even withdrawn, they have become customary rules that guide and bind all of humanity.”
Morcos indicated that the Ministry of Information has taken practical steps beyond issuing repeated statements of condemnation and appeals to the international community, saying, “We have taken concrete measures and will take further ones. We are working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants to complete the complaint file and submit it to the appropriate international forums, particularly the UN Security Council, the Human Rights Council, and the International Committee of the Red Cross, among other international bodies. We have provided the Foreign Ministry with the information and lists we have regarding the targeting of journalists in recent periods.”
Morcos continued to note that he shared this information during his recent meeting with the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, adding that he has also called for a meeting next Wednesday with the EU Ambassador Sandra De Waele for the same purpose. “We are also maintaining contacts with UNIFIL and other international bodies, with whom we will spare no effort to help put an end to these attacks on civilians and journalists, and to this war overall,” he asserted.
“We will not consider what has happened and is happening in terms of repeated and deliberate targeting of journalists as normal, nor will we accept it. Just as I raised the issue of protecting journalists during the last Cabinet session on Thursday, I will raise, in the next session, the legal options available to Lebanon to move forward with the necessary judicial and legal actions. This is in line with the Cabinet decision issued at my request on October 9, 2025 (No. 34/2025), which tasked the Ministry of Justice with studying the legal avenues needed to prosecute Israel,” pledged Morcos.
“The strongest response, in addition to these steps and what we may discuss in this emergency media meeting, is national unity and a stronger commitment to it…national unity, and once again, national unity,” he underlined.
