Israeli Tank Crew Kills Reuters Journalist Issam Abdallah and Injures Six Others in Lebanon

Israeli Tank Crew’s Strike Kills Reuters Journalist in Lebanon

In a tragic incident during the war between Israel and Hamas, a strike by an Israeli tank crew resulted in the death of a Reuters journalist and injuries to six other reporters in Lebanon. According to an investigation conducted by Reuters, Issam Abdallah, 37, was killed on October 13 while filming near the Israeli border in Lebanon. The investigation involved interviews with numerous government and security officials and analysis of footage from the scene where two tank shells were fired within 37 seconds of each other. An independent research institute in The Hague confirmed that shrapnel from an explosive device found at the scene belonged to a tank round.

Alessandra Galloni, the editor-in-chief of Reuters, expressed her dismay at the findings and called on Israel to provide an explanation for the incident. She emphasized the need to hold those responsible accountable for the death of Issam Abdallah and the injuries sustained by their colleagues. Describing Issam as a brilliant and passionate journalist, Galloni mourned the loss of a beloved member of their newsroom.

The Israel Defense Forces, when presented with the evidence by Reuters, denied targeting journalists. Lt. Col. Richard Hecht, the IDF’s international spokesperson, provided a terse comment stating their position. However, Reuters’ findings were supported by another investigation conducted by Human Rights Watch, which concluded that the tank crew had directly targeted the journalists. Human Rights Watch labeled the incident as a war crime.

Since the beginning of the war, a total of 63 journalists and media workers have lost their lives. The Committee to Protect Journalists reported that 56 Palestinians, four Israelis, and three Lebanese journalists were among the casualties. Dozens more have been injured or arrested. Amnesty International also released its own report, calling for an investigation into the attack as a war crime.

The international community has united in demanding justice for the journalists killed and injured in the conflict. It is imperative that journalists and civilians are not seen as lawful targets and that their safety is ensured during times of conflict. Reuters, along with other news organizations, remains committed to reporting the news accurately, independently, and with integrity.