A United Nations investigation has found that an Israeli tank’s firing on a group of journalists in Lebanon, resulting in the death of Reuters reporter Issam Abdallah, breached international law. The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) report reviewing the Oct. 13 incident concluded that two 120 mm rounds were fired at the journalists, who were “clearly identifiable,” without provocation.
The UNIFIL inquiry highlighted the absence of any hostilities across the Israel-Lebanon border for at least 40 minutes prior to the attack by the Israeli Merkava tank. “The firing at civilians, in this case, clearly identifiable journalists, constitutes a violation of UNSCR 1701 (2006) and international law,” stated the UNIFIL report, referencing the Security Council resolution aimed at ending hostilities and establishing a ceasefire monitored by UN peacekeepers along the Blue Line demarcation.
The incident not only claimed the life of Abdallah but also left six other journalists injured. In response to the UNIFIL findings, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson Nir Dinar recounted that on the day of the incident, Hizbullah had launched an attack near the Israeli community of Hanita, to which the IDF responded. Dinar emphasized the IDF’s respect for press freedom while noting the inherent risks of war zones.
The IDF is continuing its review of the incident through its Fact Finding and Assessment Mechanism. Reuters Editor-in-Chief Alessandra Galloni has called on Israel to provide a detailed explanation and accountability for the attack. The UNIFIL report’s recommendations urged the IDF to thoroughly investigate the incident and review its operational procedures to prevent future occurrences. The findings have been shared with both the Lebanese and Israeli militaries, and a UN spokesperson reiterated the importance of protecting civilians and journalists under international law.