Lebanon denounces destruction of Naqoura fishing port by Israel to International Maritime Organization

BEIRUT — Public Works and Transport Minister Fayez Rasamny announced Tuesday in a statement that he has notified the International Maritime Organization (IMO), a specialized U.N. agency, of the destruction by Israel of the Naqoura fishing port in the Sour district of southern Lebanon, which occurred a few days ago, according to a statement.

The minister added that "the targeting and destruction ... of a civilian port intended for local fishermen and constituting their main source of income represents a violation of international principles, laws, and conventions. This attack has resulted in a complete halt to the maritime activities of the fishermen in the region." He also called on the IMO to "take the necessary measures within its mandate to protect civilian maritime installations, and to prevent the recurrence of such attacks as well as the worsening of their humanitarian and economic consequences."

It should be noted that the IMO cannot directly sanction Israel, even if its investigation manages to corroborate Lebanon's accusations.

After the resumption of war between Hezbollah and Israel on March 2, Israeli forces invaded and occupied additional territories inside Lebanon and are now present in several villages, including Naqoura. The Israeli army has carried out demolitions and explosions of houses and roads in the Lebanese villages it occupies. In addition to the massive material damage, Israel has killed more than 2,000 people, including 350 people on a single day on April 8, and injured over 6,000 others.