'Israel' killed Reuters reporter Issam Abdallah, UNIFIL report finds

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
14 Mar 2024 01:01

A UNIFIL investigation confirms that an Israeli tank strike killed Reuters reporter Issam Abdallah in Lebanon.

A poster of Reuters videographer Issam Abdallah, who was killed when an Israeli shell landed in a gathering of international journalists on Oct. 13, 2023, with his camera and tripod is displayed during a press conference by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch in Beirut, Lebanon, Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

An investigation by the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) found that an Israeli occupation military tank, in violation of international law, killed Reuters reporter Issam Abdallah in South Lebanon on October 13 last year by firing two 120 mm rounds at a group of "clearly identifiable journalists," Reuters reported.

The seven-page report mentioned that UNIFIL personnel recorded no exchange of fire on the border between Lebanon and occupied Palestine for over 40 minutes prior to an Israeli Merkava tank initiating fire.

"The firing at civilians, in this instance clearly identifiable journalists, constitutes a violation of UNSCR 1701 (2006) and international law," the investigation pointed out, referring to the UN Security Council resolution 1701.

"It is assessed that there was no exchange of fire across the Blue Line at the time of the incident. The reason for the strikes on the journalists is not known," it added.

In addition to killing Abdallah, the two Israeli tank rounds injured six other journalists present at the same location.

Alessandra Galloni, the Editor-in-Chief of Reuters, has urged "Israel" to provide an explanation for the attack that killed 37-year-old Abdallah and to ensure accountability for those responsible.

In response to TNO's report, Jessica Dorsey, an expert in international humanitarian law at Utrecht University, said, "The TNO report does conclude that it was likely, in addition to the two tank rounds, that machine gun fire came from the same location, and that adds to, or… pic.twitter.com/0pXNpdRMus
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) March 8, 2024

According to two individuals familiar with the matter, the UNIFIL investigation was forwarded to the United Nations in New York on February 28 and has been shared with the Lebanese and Israeli militaries.

The UNIFIL report recommended that the Israeli occupation forces conduct an investigation into the incident and thoroughly review their procedures at the time to prevent a recurrence, emphasizing the importance of sharing their findings with UNIFIL.

A spokesperson for the United Nations confirmed that the UNIFIL report had been shared with the relevant parties, underscoring the obligation of all actors to adhere to international law and ensure the protection of civilians, including journalists.

"We reiterate that all actors should uphold their obligations under international law, and that civilians, including journalists, should never be a target. Journalists and media professionals must be protected," the spokesperson affirmed.

Reuters noted that the findings of the UNIFIL report further support an investigation published by the news agency on December 7, which revealed that seven journalists from Agence France-Presse (AFP), Al Jazeera, and Reuters were struck by two 120 mm rounds fired by an Israeli tank located 1.34 km away in occupied Palestinian territories.

Prior to the attack, the reporters had been filming cross-border shelling from a distance in an open area on a hill near the Lebanese village of Alma al-Shaab for nearly an hour.

The day after, the Israeli occupation military confirmed that it possessed visuals of the incident and that it was under investigation. However, it has yet to publish a report of its findings.