Human Rights Watch (HRW) has reported that an Israeli airstrike in Lebanon in October, which resulted in the deaths of three journalists and injuries to four others, could be classified as a war crime. The strike took place in Hasbaya, Lebanon, where a host of journalists had been stationed for several weeks. The attack utilized a bomb outfitted with a “United States-produced Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) guidance kit.”
HRW’s findings assert that there was no military presence or activity in Hasbaya at the time of the airstrike. They also highlight that the Israeli military should have been aware of the journalists’ presence in the targeted building. This situation poses serious questions about the obligations of arms manufacturers and governments under international humanitarian law, especially concerning the responsibilities outlined in the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights by the UN and the OECD Guidelines on Multinational Enterprises.
Furthermore, HRW calls for the suspension of weapons transfers to Israel by the US and weapon manufacturers, highlighting a pattern of “repeated, unlawful attacks on civilians.” This situation has placed US officials at risk of complicity in war crimes. This is not the first instance of concern; US-made weapons have been previously used in strikes that potentially violate international law, such as the attack on Lebanese aid workers in March and other incidents across the Gaza Strip earlier this year.
The strike is part of escalating violence against media personnel, with more than 130 journalists killed since October 2023, making it the deadliest period for journalists, as recorded by the Committee to Protect Journalists since 1992. The protection of journalists remains a pressing concern, and HRW underscores the importance of adhering to international protections for journalists worldwide.
Moreover, the Israeli government has been involved in controversial actions concerning press freedom, notably by ordering the closure of Al Jazeera offices in the West Bank and issuing sanctions against domestic media outlets critical of the state, such as Haaretz. These measures undermine freedoms that are essential for democratic governance and accountability.
The original report by Human Rights Watch can be further examined here for an in-depth understanding of these allegations and the context surrounding them.