Outrage in Lebanon at international outlets embedding with Israeli army

Government expresses 'grave concern' over presence of foreign journalists alongside Israeli soldiers during ground incursions

Israeli troops on the ground in southern Lebanon. AFP

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A recent series of embeds granted to international outlets with the Israeli army during its ground invasion of southern Lebanon, which began earlier this month, has sparked outrage among Lebanese officials.

Lebanon's caretaker Minister of Information, Ziad Makari, sent a letter on Tuesday to several international outlets expressing “the grave concern” of the Lebanese government about the presence of journalists during Israel's recent incursions into Lebanon, condemning a violation of international and domestic laws as well as the charter of ethical practices in journalism.

“While we respect and uphold the essential principles of press freedom, it is vital to emphasise that press freedom must operate within the bounds of the law and respect for territorial integrity. The practice of embedding journalists with foreign military forces during incursions into another nation’s territory raises serious legal concerns,” the letter stressed.

According to the NNA, the letter was sent to The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, The Telegraph, The New York Times, the Associated Press, Fox News, Reuters and the BBC. Mr Makari denied any “attempt to curb press freedom” while stressing that the Lebanese government “retains the right to take all necessary legal actions to prevent any recurrence of such actions”.

Lebanon's Hezbollah, which Israel has vowed to “degrade” during its violent offensive in Lebanon, also issued two statements on Monday condemning the embed and all outlets which took part. The group described it as a “propaganda tour” which is “violating Lebanese land, sovereignty and the applicable Lebanese laws”.

“We reiterate our condemnation of this dangerous behaviour and unacceptable step, and we reiterate our demand that the competent authorities take the necessary legal and political measures,” one of the statements said.

The Israeli army says its ground invasion, which it claims is "limited" and is backed by Washington, is aimed at pushing Hezbollah north of the Litani River, about 30km from the Lebanon-Israel border.

Since the conflict started last October, more than 2,300 people have been killed in Israeli strikes in Lebanon, at least half of them in the past month, since Israel started an all-out war. The fighting has also displaced an estimated 1.2 million people.