News|Israel attacks LebanonNGOs welcome Lebanon’s push for justice over Israeli attack on journalistsThe October 13, 2023, attack in southern Lebanon killed a Reuters journalist and wounded six other reporters.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called for continued legal action by Lebanon regarding an Israeli military strike that occurred on October 13, 2023. This incident resulted in the death of a Reuters journalist and injuries to six other reporters.

Lebanon's Ministry of Justice has initiated an investigation to explore legal avenues for pressing charges against Israel for actions against journalists. HRW has expressed support for this initiative, considering it a potential pathway to justice for the victims.

Issam Abdallah, a videographer for Reuters, was killed in the attack by an Israeli tank in southern Lebanon near the border. Among the injured were two Al Jazeera reporters.

An HRW report highlighted that this legal action could serve as a significant step towards accountability. They noted that since the incident, numerous civilians in Lebanon have been affected by similar attacks, which could be considered violations of international law.

An investigation by the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL) concluded that two 120mm rounds were fired by an Israeli Merkava tank at the journalists, who were stationary and clearly identifiable at the time. The report found no evidence of a military target nearby, suggesting that the attack constituted a war crime.

Morris Tidball-Binz, the UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial executions, classified the attack as premeditated and targeted, potentially violating international humanitarian law. Reporters Without Borders has urged Lebanon to refer the case to the International Criminal Court.

The Committee to Protect Journalists reported that a record number of journalists were killed in 2024, with Israel responsible for more than two-thirds of these deaths.

Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.