Salam Condemns Israeli Military Operations in South Lebanon as "Collective Punishment"

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has issued a strong rebuke of Israel's military operations in southern Lebanon, declaring that the sustained bombardment of the Tyre and Nabatieh regions and the destruction of their cultural heritage cannot be justified under any circumstances.

In remarks posted to the X platform, Salam characterized the repeated calls for southern residents to evacuate their homes and abandon their livelihoods as violations of fundamental international legal principles. He specifically framed these demands as constituting "collective punishment," a practice condemned by the international community and prohibited under established humanitarian law.

The Prime Minister emphasized that these developments reinforce Lebanon's resolve to pursue several key objectives: securing an immediate ceasefire, achieving a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese territory, reasserting state control throughout the nation, and enabling the safe and dignified return of internally displaced persons to their communities.

Salam pledged that Lebanon would continue mobilizing support from Arab nations and the international community to realize these goals. He characterized the pursuit of these aims as both a national obligation and an inalienable right that Lebanon will not relinquish under any circumstances.

The Prime Minister's statement reflects the deteriorating security situation in southern Lebanon, where Israeli military operations have intensified, particularly in the Tyre and Nabatieh areas. The campaign of raids and evacuation threats has prompted mounting displacement among residents of southern municipalities.

Salam's comments arrive as Lebanese diplomacy remains engaged in sustained efforts at both Arab and international forums to consolidate the ceasefire and compel Israeli compliance with withdrawal requirements. Concurrently, the Lebanese state is advancing its military deployment in the south and strengthening governmental authority in the region, actions aimed at fulfilling the obligations outlined in UN Security Council Resolution 1701.