• Lebanese journalist facing prosecution over IDF interview condemns ‘judicial repression’
• Israeli artillery responded by shelling areas in southern Lebanon, including Mays Al-Jabal, Rab Al-Thalathin, Bani Hayyan, and Houla

Najia Houssari

BEIRUT: The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah claims to have caused “direct casualties” with a series of missile attacks on Friday targeting Israeli army outposts on Lebanon’s southern border.

Hezbollah struck military targets near the Ramim outpost, Al-Tayhat Triangle, Al-Burj outpost, and the Yiron settlement, and also targeted military outposts in Malkia and Metula.

The attacks were the latest in a series of confrontations that have taken place since Oct. 8 in parallel with the war in the Gaza Strip.

Israeli artillery responded by shelling areas in southern Lebanon, including Mays Al-Jabal, Rab Al-Thalathin, Bani Hayyan, and Houla.

Israeli planes raided the outskirts of the Chihine and Al-Dahira villages.

The Israeli Defense Forces claimed in a statement that it hit several “terrorist targets, including infrastructure, a weapons depot, and a military building.”

In other developments, Lebanese Al-Arabiya news anchor Layal Alekhtiar has described the issuing of a warrant against her as a “blatant political prosecution.”

Alekhtiar sparked controversy on Oct. 12 when she interviewed IDF spokesperson Avichay Adraee — addressing him as “Mister” at the beginning of the interview and thanking him as “the IDF spokesperson.”

The journalist said later that she was notified of the warrant by the military public prosecutor in Lebanon following a complaint filed by Hezbollah under disguised names.

“This step is a blatant political prosecution in the form of judicial repression,” Alekhtiar said on X. “This has nothing to do with truth and justice.”

Those behind the warrant “are inflicting moral, national, and human disgrace on themselves,” she said.
She added: “They are the ones who plundered the state, bankrupted the people, and gave up the nation’s sovereignty and wealth. They are now covering up their crimes with fabrications to suppress freedoms.

“I am not afraid because I am Lebanese from now till doomsday and Arab until my last breath. You will not affect my freedom, dignity, and beliefs, no matter what you do.”

A judicial source told Arab News that Alekhtiar had been summoned for interrogation following a complaint filed by a group of ‘“ex-detainees.”

The warrant will expire in a month if the security body fails to locate her, the source said.

The source added: “However, the military court’s government commissioner can file a claim against her in absentia and refer the case to the investigating judge.”

Alekhtiar is currently living outside Lebanon.

Two Lebanese parties voiced support for the journalist.

The Progressive Socialist Party said that the issuing a search and investigation warrant against Alekhtiar “is completely unjustified, and everyone should adhere to freedoms as a fundamental feature in Lebanon.”

The Lebanese Kataeb Party stressed its solidarity with “anyone subjected to the unjust and shameful campaigns against Lebanon by Hezbollah.”

The Lebanese Press Editors’ Syndicate has refused to intervene in the issue.

A source close to the syndicate said that “there are laws in Lebanon that penalize dealing with Israel. What Elekhtiar did falls under this category.”

According to the source, she “is now equal to those who deal with the enemy and who are being tried in Lebanon.”

The source said Alekhtiar should have apologized for doing the interview because she knew she would be held accountable in Lebanon.

“What makes matters worse is that this occurred during the peak of fierce attacks on the Gaza Strip, not during a time of relaxation and dialogue.”

Two days ago, the military court that is currently handling Alekhtiar’s trial released the detainee Mohammed Ayad from Hezbollah.

He was being tried for killing an Irish UNIFIL soldier in the Al-Aqabiya area in southern Lebanon in mid-December.

He was released on bail under the pretext of his “health condition.”

The defense had attached to Ayad’s release request a medical report indicating that he was suffering from an “incurable liver disease.”

The decision surprised the UNIFIL leadership, whose spokesman said they were making further inquiries.

The government commissioner to the military court, Judge Fadi Akiki, did not appeal the court’s decision.

“Accordingly, any party, especially UNIFIL, cannot object to the release,” added the source.

“Rather, it must wait for the court’s ruling on the case to object before the civil judiciary and only to obtain compensation.”