As disclosed in a recent United Nations investigation, a fatal Israeli tank strike on a group of journalists in Lebanon last year crossed the line of international law was reported by Reuters. One of the casualties was Reuters’ journalist, Issam Abdallah, aged 37.
Investigation by The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) revealed that the tank strike, responsible for firing two 120mm rounds, targeted identifiable journalists. This act counters international legal standards. The report stated that no previous exchange of fire had been recorded between Israel and Lebanon over 40 minutes before the attack, proving the actions of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to be in violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 and other international laws.
The 2006 enacted Resolution 1701, designed to resolve the conflict between Israel and Lebanese Hezbollah forces, mandates the deployment of UN peacekeepers along the 120km demarcation line, known as the Blue Line, between Israel and Lebanon. One of the key duties of these forces includes monitoring the enforced ceasefire and investigating further violations.
Acknowledgment of an incident on October 13 came from IDF spokesperson, Nir Dinar, where reports of assault towards the IDF by Hezbollah came in from near Hanita, Israel. The IDF responded with artillery and tank fire, resulting in reports of journalist casualties. Dinar restated the IDF’s commitment to harm avoidance towards civilians, which includes journalists, while also detailing the inherent risks of conflict zones.
The Editor-in-Chief of Reuters, Alessandra Galloni, addresses Israel directly, seeking clarity surrounding the conditions of the fatal attack and emphasizing the need for accountability towards those involved. Both the Lebanese and Israeli military authorities have received the UNIFIL report, submitted to the United Nations on February 28.
The report suggests that the IDF carry out an extensive investigation into the incident and make necessary changes to its operation protocols to avoid further similar tragedies. The report’s findings strongly urge for better protection of journalists and media personnel within conflict zones, reiterating their civilian status as established by international law.
Solid evidence for UNIFIL’s investigation was found in corroborative accounts from the Lebanese Armed Forces and eyewitness reports, echoing the findings of an earlier Reuters investigation from December 7. The investigation revealed that seven journalists, including Abdallah, were hit by tank rounds fired from Israel as they filmed cross-border shelling close to the Lebanese village of Alma al-Chaab.