Israeli human rights organization condemns Israel's practices in S. Lebanon

The Israeli B'Tselem human rights organization on Sunday condemned Israeli violations of human rights in occupied south Lebanon.

The spokesman for the organization said the Israeli human rights violations in Lebanon are identical to crimes of war.

In its report, the organization denounced Israeli practices in south Lebanon, noting the detention of several people and putting them in Khiam jail without trial as well as torturing prisoners during investigations.

The organization also condemned displacement of hundreds of people in the occupied part of south Lebanon and imposing military service on people, among whom are children of 15 years old in the pro-Israeli South Lebanon Army militia.

The organization also denounced Israeli army's use of phosphoric bombs and held Israel responsible for the pro-Israeli militia violations in south Lebanon.

The spokesman for the organization indicated that the Israeli army admitted paying wages to elements of the SLA militia.

The report stated that 16 Lebanese are still being held as prisoners in Israel whereas about 150 are still in Khiam prison in south Lebanon.

Moreover, the International Committee of the Red Cross was prevented until October 1995 from entering Khiam jail which is run by the pro-Israeli SLA militia and under the supervision of the Israeli military officers who interrogate the prisoners.

Moreover, access to the prison is not allowed to journalists and human rights organizations, especially Amnesty International which has several times condemned arrest conditions and the practice of torture by the Israelis.