Extended-protected article

Attacks on journalists during the Israel–Hezbollah conflict (2023–present)

From WikiProjectMed
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Attack on journalists in Lebanon
Part of the killing of journalists in the Israel–Hamas war and Israel–Hezbollah conflict (2023–present)
A protestor holding up a sign of Issam Abdallah during mass demonstrations in London, 29 October 2023
LocationSouth Lebanon (South Governorate and Nabatieh Governorate)
Date13 October – present
(6 months and 2 weeks)
WeaponsMissiles, tank guns
Deaths3 journalists, 1 civilian
Injured7+
PerpetratorIsrael Israeli Defence Force

Since the beginning of the Israel–Hezbollah conflict on 8 October 2023, Israel has killed three Lebanese journalists and injured at least 7 others in multiple incidents near the Lebanon–Israel border.

Incidents

13 October

While a group of Reuters, AFP and Al Jazeera journalists were transmitting a live video feed of an IDF outpost over a kilometre from Aalma ech Chaab, two tank rounds fired directly hit the group. The first killed Reuters photojournalist Issam Abdallah. The second strike was much more powerful and ignited the Al Jazeera vehicle, a white Toyota, which Al Jazeera journalists Carmen Joukhadar and Elie Brakhya, as well as their AFP colleague Dylan Collins were standing next to.[1] Reuters' photographer Christina Assi was also critically injured and had her leg amputated.[2][3] Lebanon's army has said the IDF fired the missile that killed Abdallah. Another Reuters reporter at the scene said Abdallah was killed by projectiles fired from the direction of Israel.[4] His last post on Instagram, posted a week before he was killed, was a photograph of Shireen Abu Akleh, a Palestinian journalist for Al Jazeera who had been killed by Israel in 2022.[5][6]

A February 2024 report by the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon concluded that an Israeli tank killed Abadallah when it fired at "clearly identifiable journalists", and that this broke international law.[7] The report "assessed that there was no exchange of fire across the Blue Line at the time of the incident", with no records of any exchange of fire across the border for the 40 minutes before the tank firing.[7] The Israel Defense Forces responded to the United Nations report by claiming that Hezbollah attacked them, so tank fire was used to retaliate.[7]

13 November

Another group of Lebanese journalists were hit by a strike meters away from them while reporting in the town of Yaroun[8] The incident was filmed live by Al Jadeed. The anchor was heard speaking to the live anchor Rif Akil after the strike. The anchor said, "It's clear the rocket has fallen just a few metres away from you It's clear this is a direct strike on journalists operating in Yaroun." as the camera filmed the site of the attack.[9] Only minor injuries were reported.[9]

21 November

While an Al-Mayadeen crew was covering the latest developments on the Lebanese-Israeli border near Tayr Harfa in southern Lebanon, an Israeli tank targeted reporter Farah Omar and cameraman Rabih Maamari from Al-Mayadeen TV. The artillery shelling led to the immediate deaths of Omar and Maamari.[10][11] A guide alongside the journalist was also killed. Al Mayadeen said the attack was deliberate because of the channel's pro-Palestinian views.[12]

23 December

An Al-Manar cameraman was injured in the eye after an IDF attack on a road in the al-Khardali area where correspondents of MTV and the state-owned National News Agency were also passing.[13] The IDF heavily bombarded the Deir Mimas-Khardali River area and stopped civilians from passing the road by shelling close to the vehicles passing.[13]

26 December

Hezbollah's anti-tank missile hit next to Channel 13 News team while interviewing farmer at Dovev, in an article following a prior Hezbollah assault that killed a 56-year-old employee of the Israel Electric Corporation, and injured five workers who were repairing electric lines.[14]

Investigations of 13 October attack

Reporters Without Borders investigation

During the conflict, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) claimed that the Israeli army had deliberately targeted journalists.[15][16][17] An RSF investigation said that Israel had targeted journalists in missile strikes on 13 October that killed Reuters reporter Issam Abdallah and injured four others. These two Israeli missile strikes, 30 seconds apart, hit a group of seven journalists in southern Lebanon who were reporting on the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. In a video, the journalists are seen wearing vests and helmets identifying them as "PRESS". The marking was also present on the roof of their car, which exploded after being hit by the second missile.[18] According to the Council of Europe, the intentional targeting of journalists constitutes a war crime.[19]

Reuters and TNO

The Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), which tests and analyses munitions and weapons, assisted Reuters by examining the material collected at the site of the explosion of 13 October and found that the piece of metal was the fin of a 120 mm tank round fired 1.34 km away from the border fired from a smoothbore tank gun.[20] The TNO said that satellite images and a photo taken by Abdallah showed no signs of any previous attacks in their area which determines that the tailfin was significant investigating the attack.[21]

The TNO analyzed the recording from the Al Jazeera live feed of both strikes and a video recording from the Italian broadcaster RAI which shows the launch point of the second strike. Journalists from RAI were filming the cross-border shelling the same day of the attack from Alma ech Chaab where their camera was turned towards the sound of the blast.[21] Using the audio from the Al Jazeera broadcast they determined that the rounds were fired 1,343 metres away from the reporters and said that the sound signatures of both samples of the strikes matched indicating that the two tank rounds were fired from the same position.[21]

Amnesty International

Amnesty International and the Human Rights Watch held a joint press conference in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, on 7 December where they revealed their findings of their investigations into the attack that killed Issam Abdallah and wounded six others on 13 October. They concluded that the group of journalists were hit by a tank round and said that it was a direct attack on civilians and were visibly identifiable as journalists which they called for it to be investigated as a war crime.[22][23] After analysis they found that the firing point was at an Israeli position close to the village of Jordeikh which was positioned east of the journalists.[24][22]

United Nations investigation

A February 2024 report by the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon concluded that an Israeli tank killed Abadallah when it fired at "clearly identifiable journalists", and that this broke international law.[7] The report "assessed that there was no exchange of fire across the Blue Line at the time of the incident", with no records of any exchange of fire across the border for the 40 minutes before the tank firing.[7]

Reaction

Speaking about Abdallah's death, Israeli military spokesperson Richard Hecht said, "we're very sorry", but did not confirm that Israeli shells had hit the journalists.[25] The Israeli military said it using tank and artillery fire in the vicinity to deter a potential infiltration from Lebanon at the time Issam Abdallah was killed. They stated that their actions were in response to Hezbollah fire along the Israel–Lebanon border, and the incident is currently being reviewed.[26] The Israeli army also initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Abdallah's death.[27]

Michael Downey, a journalist who works for The New York Times and the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), commented on a video taken shortly before the incident: "No warning shot; that was intentional".[28]

Lebanon denounced the killing of Reuters journalist Issam Abdallah, who was killed during an Israeli artillery strike aimed at a group of reporters. Following Abdallah's death, the Lebanese army conducted an on-site assessment, affirming that Israel had launched the missile that killed him.[29][30] Lebanon's Foreign Ministry has instructed its mission to the UN in Beirut to express deep concerns regarding what they perceive as a clear infringement on freedom of opinion and press. Additionally, Lebanon is preparing to file a formal complaint with the UN Security Council, accusing Israel of intentionally causing Abdallah's death.[31][32]

Casualties

List of journalists and civilians either killed or injured and their description.

Date Name Description News agency Ref.
October 13 Carmen Joukhadar A Lebanese reporter who sustained major injuries and was hospitalized for weeks Al Jazeera [33]
Christina Assi A Lebanese photographer who sustained life-threatening injuries and remained in intensive care for weeks and had her leg amputated AFP [34]
Dylan Collins An American photographer who was injured in the second strike while trying to help Assi. AFP [33]
Elie Brakhya A Lebanese photojuornalist who sustained major injuries and was hospitalized for weeks Al Jazeera [33]
Issam Abdallah A Lebanese videographer who was immediately killed in an Israeli artillery strike that specifically targeted a group of reporters. Reuters [35][36]
Maher Nazeh An Iraqi photojuornalist who sustained minor injuries Reuters [33]
Thaer al-Sudani An Iraqi photojuornalist who sustained minor injuries Reuters [33]
November 13 Issam Mawassi A Lebanese videographer sustained minor injuries when the IDF attacked a group of journalists in Yaroun. Al Jadeed [37]
November 21 Farah Omar A Lebanese correspondent working for the Hezbollah-affiliated Al Mayadeen was killed in an Israeli airstrike in the Tayr Harfa area. Al Mayadeen [38]
Hussein Aqeel Civilian who was alongside the Al Mayadeen journalists who was their local guide. (Civilian) [39]
Rabih Al Maamari [Wikidata] A Lebanese cameraman working for Al Mayadeen was killed in an Israeli airstrike in the Tayr Harfa area. Al Mayadeen [38]
December 23 Khodor Markiz A Lebanese cameraman who was injured in the eye after an IDF attack near his vehicle. Al Manar [13]

See also

References

  1. ^ Gebeily, Maya; Deutsch, Anthony; Clarke, David (2023-12-07). "Reuters journalist Issam Abdallah killed by Israeli tank, investigation finds". Reuters. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  2. ^ Ward, Euan (13 October 2023). "A Reuters cameraman is killed and six other journalists are injured near Lebanon's southern border". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 15 October 2023. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
  3. ^ Neumann, Julia (14 October 2023). "Pressefreiheit im Israel-Gaza-Krieg: Journalist*innen als Zielscheibe". Die Tageszeitung: taz (in German). ISSN 0931-9085. Archived from the original on 18 October 2023. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
  4. ^ "Obituary: Reuters' Issam Abdallah covered the world's biggest events with bravery and insight". Reuters. 15 October 2023. Archived from the original on 14 October 2023. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
  5. ^ Fahim, Kareem; Chamaa, Mohamad El; Francis, Ellen; Dadouch, Sarah (October 14, 2023). "Reuters journalist killed in southern Lebanon by Israeli strike, colleagues say". Washington Post. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  6. ^ "A Reuters videographer killed in southern Lebanon by Israeli shelling is laid to rest". AP News. October 14, 2023. Archived from the original on 9 November 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  7. ^ a b c d e Gauthier-Villars, David; Bassam, Laila; Perry, Tom (14 March 2024). "Israeli tank strike killed 'clearly identifiable' Reuters reporter - UN report". Reuters. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  8. ^ Homsi, Nada (2023-11-13). "Two killed and journalists targeted in separate Israeli attacks on south Lebanon". The National. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  9. ^ a b Homsi, Nada (2023-11-13). "Two killed and journalists targeted in separate Israeli attacks on south Lebanon". The National. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  10. ^ "UNESCO Director-General condemns killing of media workers Farah Omar and Rabih Me'mari in Lebanon". unesco. 22 November 2023. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  11. ^ "Two journalists and two civilians killed by Israeli strikes on Lebanon". Middle East Eye. 2023-11-22. Retrieved 2023-12-16.
  12. ^ Jones, Kathy (2023-11-21). "Al-Mayadeen TV reporter and videographer killed by Israeli strike in south Lebanon". Committee to Protect Journalists. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  13. ^ a b c "Israel shells south Lebanon, airstrike wounds Al-Manar cameraman". Naharnet. 23 December 2023. Retrieved 2023-12-23.
  14. ^ Carmel Luzati (December 26, 2023). ""שני מטר למעלה זה היה פוגע בנו": צוות חדשות 13 תחת אש חיזבאללה". Reshet 13 (in Hebrew). Retrieved 31 December 2023. Two meters upwards, it'd hit us: News 13 crew under Hezbollah's fire
  15. ^ "RSF video investigation into the death of Reuters reporter Issam Abdallah in Lebanon: the journalists' vehicle was explicitly targeted". Reporters Without Borders. 29 October 2023. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  16. ^ McNeill, Zane (10 October 2023). "Palestinian Journalists Targeted, Killed Amid Israel's Onslaught on Gaza". Truthout. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  17. ^ "Israeli attack in southern Lebanon kills journalist, wounds several others". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  18. ^ Sallon, Hélène (2023-10-29). "Guerre Israël-Hamas: selon RSF, les journalistes victimes de frappes au Liban étaient ciblés". Le Monde.fr (in French). Archived from the original on 30 October 2023. Retrieved 2023-11-01.
  19. ^ "Safety of Journalists Platform". Council of Europe. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  20. ^ Gebeily, Maya; Deutsch, Anthony; Clarke, David (2023-12-07). "Reuters journalist Issam Abdallah killed by Israeli tank, investigation finds". Reuters. Retrieved 2023-12-07.
  21. ^ a b c Gebeily, Maya; Deutsch, Anthony; Clarke, David (2023-12-07). "Reuters journalist Issam Abdallah killed by Israeli tank, investigation finds". Reuters. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  22. ^ a b "Killing of Issam Abdallah in Lebanon: four new investigations confirm RSF's conclusions, and reveal Israeli tank round killed Reuters journalist. | RSF". rsf.org. 2023-12-07. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  23. ^ "Lebanon: Deadly Israeli attack on journalists must be investigated as a war crime". amnesty.org. 7 December 2023. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  24. ^ "Israel: Strikes on Journalists in Lebanon Apparently Deliberate | Human Rights Watch". 2023-12-07. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  25. ^ "A Reuters videographer killed in southern Lebanon by Israeli shelling is laid to rest". AP News. October 14, 2023. Archived from the original on 9 November 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  26. ^ "Lebanon Army Blames Israel for Journalist's Killing; Reuters Urges Israeli Probe". VOA. October 14, 2023. Archived from the original on October 15, 2023. Retrieved October 15, 2023.
  27. ^ "Funeral held for Reuters journalist killed in Lebanon". Yahoo News. October 14, 2023. Archived from the original on October 15, 2023. Retrieved October 15, 2023.
  28. ^ Neumann, Julia (14 October 2023). "Pressefreiheit im Israel-Gaza-Krieg: Journalist*innen als Zielscheibe". Die Tageszeitung: taz (in German). ISSN 0931-9085. Archived from the original on 18 October 2023. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
  29. ^ "Lebanon Army Blames Israel for Journalist's Killing; Reuters Urges Israeli Probe". VOA. October 14, 2023. Archived from the original on October 15, 2023. Retrieved October 15, 2023.
  30. ^ "MSN". MSN. Archived from the original on 2023-10-20. Retrieved 2023-10-15.
  31. ^ "Lebanon protests to UN over journalist's death in Israel border clash". Arab News Japan. Archived from the original on 2023-10-20. Retrieved 2023-10-15.
  32. ^ "Funeral held for Reuters journalist killed in Lebanon". Yahoo News. October 14, 2023. Archived from the original on October 15, 2023. Retrieved October 15, 2023.
  33. ^ a b c d e "Killing of Issam Abdallah in Lebanon: four new investigations confirm RSF's conclusions, and reveal Israeli tank round killed Reuters journalist. | RSF". rsf.org. 2023-12-07. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  34. ^ https://today.lorientlejour.com/article/1360043/israeli-strike-on-journalists-in-lebanon-warrants-war-crime-probe-watchdogs.html#:~:text=AFP%20photographer%20Christina%20Assi%2C%2028,Watch%20told%20AFP%20on%20Thursday.
  35. ^ "Lebanon army blames Israel for journalist's killing; Reuters urges Israeli probe". Reuters. October 14, 2023. Archived from the original on November 28, 2023. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
  36. ^ "Journalist killed, six people wounded in Israeli attack on south Lebanon". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on October 15, 2023. Retrieved October 15, 2023.
  37. ^ Jones, Kathy (2023-12-23). "Journalist casualties in the Israel-Gaza war". Committee to Protect Journalists. Retrieved 2023-12-30.
  38. ^ a b "Israeli strike kills three journalists near Lebanon border". Al Jazeera. November 21, 2023. Archived from the original on November 21, 2023. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  39. ^ Homsi, Nada (2023-11-22). "Funerals held for Al Mayadeen journalists killed by Israeli strike in Lebanon". The National. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
Retrieved from "https://mdwiki.org/wiki/Attacks_on_journalists_during_the_Israel–Hezbollah_conflict_(2023–present)"