Reuters news agency received a United Nations report on Wednesday, March 13th, 2024, which confirms that an Israeli tank strike deliberately targeted a group of journalists in southern Lebanon last October. The attack, which occurred on October 13th, 2023, resulted in te death of Issam Abdallah, a Reuters videographer, and injured six other journalists from various outlets.The U.N. investigation concluded that the Israeli tank fired two 120mm rounds directly at the clearly identifiable group of reporters. The journalists were positioned on a hill near the village of Alma al-Chaab, filming cross-border shelling from a safe distance and had been in the location for nearly an hour before the attack. Witness accounts, along with video and photographic evidence, corroborated the report's findings.
This revelation comes after a separate investigation by the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), commissioned by Reuters, reached similar conclusions in early March 2024. The TNO report stated the improbability of mistaken identity and highlighted the use of heavy machinegun fire alongside the tank rounds, suggesting a deliberate and sustained attack.
The U.N. report strongly condemns the actions of the Israeli military, characterizing it as a violation of international law. The intentional targeting of journalists constitutes a war crime, and the U.N. is urging Israel to conduct a thorough investigation and hold those responsible accountable.
Responding to the report, Reuters editor-in-chief Alessandra Galloni reiterated calls for a transparent investigation from the Israeli government. "We demand an explanation for how this tragedy occurred and for those responsible to face the consequences," Galloni stated. Representatives from Al Jazeera, whose journalists were also injured in the attack, echoed these sentiments.
The Israeli government has yet to publicly respond to the U.N. report. Previously, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) acknowledged the incident and stated an investigation was underway. However, the findings of that investigation have not been released.
The targeting of journalists has drawn international condemnation. Press freedom organizations have highlighted the chilling effect such attacks have on independent media and the ability to report on conflict zones. The U.N. report adds to the mounting pressure on Israel to provide a clear explanation for the attack and hold those responsible accountable.