The United Nations General Assembly’s Economic and Financial Committee approved a resolution on Tuesday requesting that Israel assume responsibility for prompt and adequate compensation to Lebanon affected by an oil slick on its shores during Israel’s 2006 military operations in Lebanon.
The resolution marks the 19th consecutive year it has been presented to the Assembly.
The incident in question occurred during the 2006 war in Lebanon when Israeli airstrikes targeted a fuel depot in the southern Lebanese coastal city of Jiyeh.
The resulting explosion released an estimated 15,000 to 30,000 tons of crude oil into the Mediterranean, leading to one of the worst environmental disasters in the region's history.
The oil slick spread along Lebanon’s coastline, devastating marine life, affecting fishing communities, and impacting Lebanon’s tourism and agriculture sectors.
The draft resolution, presented annually by the Group of 77 and China in the UN’s Second Committee, calls for Israel to be held accountable for the spill and to compensate Lebanon for the damage caused.
While the resolution received broad support from members of the G77, China, and many countries in Asia and Latin America, seven countries – Canada, Israel, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, and the United States – voted against it.
Notably, Guatemala and Liberia changed their stance, voting in favor for the first time. Australia and the Marshall Islands also reversed their previous abstentions and cast votes in favor.
During the voting session, Lebanon’s chargé d’affaires, Hadi Hashem, emphasized the importance of holding Israel accountable and ensuring the respect of international law. He underscored that the resolution aims to prevent the perpetuation of impunity and calls for the compensation Lebanon is owed for the environmental damage inflicted.
The draft resolution will be submitted for a final vote by the General Assembly in December 2024. It will be the latest step in Lebanon’s ongoing campaign to seek justice and reparations for the 2006 oil spill, an unresolved matter spanning nearly two decades.
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