Lebanon Files UN Complaint Against Israel Over Civilian Airstrikes

Lebanon has initiated formal diplomatic action against Israel following a series of airstrikes that targeted civilian economic infrastructure in southern Lebanon over the weekend. The Lebanese Foreign Ministry has directed its UN mission to file an urgent complaint with the Security Council and Secretary-General regarding Saturday's attacks.

The complaint focuses on Israeli aerial bombardments that hit multiple heavy machinery showrooms along the Al-Msayleh-Zahrani road in the Sidon district. According to Lebanese authorities, the strikes resulted in civilian casualties and caused severe destruction to commercial facilities. Lebanon's National News Agency reported that the attacks destroyed more than 300 vehicles and inflicted millions of dollars in material losses across six equipment yards.

Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi has instructed Lebanon's permanent mission to the United Nations in New York to circulate the complaint as an official document to all Security Council member states. This diplomatic move aims to increase international pressure on Israel regarding its military actions in southern Lebanon and seek accountability for the violation of Lebanese sovereignty.

The airstrikes represent a significant breach of the November 2024 ceasefire agreement that ended a year of cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces. That conflict had resulted in over 4,000 fatalities and approximately 17,000 injuries before the truce was established. Under the ceasefire terms, Israel was required to complete a full military withdrawal from southern Lebanon by January, but has maintained a presence at five border outposts, creating ongoing tensions in the region.