Lebanon condemns acts of violence after missile attack in occupied Golan Heights

By Naim Berjawi

BEIRUT (AA) - Lebanon condemned all acts of violence Saturday and attacks against civilians following a missile strike in the town of Druze town in Majdal Shams in the occupied Golan Heights.

The government urged “an immediate cessation of hostilities on all fronts.”

“Targeting civilians is a flagrant violation of international law and goes against the principles of humanity,” it said in a statement.

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri received a telephone call from UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Geir Pedersen, where Berri reaffirmed that “Lebanon and its resistance are committed to UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and the rules of engagement prohibiting the targeting of civilians.” The resolution that was adopted in 2006 was intended to end hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel.​​​​​​​

Berri added that “Hezbollah’s denial of involvement in today's events in Majdal Shams in the occupied Golan confirms this commitment and the responsibility of Lebanon in the matter," said the statement.

Israeli authorities said earlier that 12 people were killed and 35 injured in the missile attack.

The Israeli army accused Hezbollah for the attack but the Lebanese group denied responsibility.

Tensions have risen along Lebanon's border with Israel amid cross-border attacks between Hezbollah and Israeli forces as Tel Aviv presses ahead with its deadly offensive against the Gaza Strip, which has killed nearly 39,300 victims since October following an attack by the Palestinian resistance group, Hamas.

*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala