Lebanon: Israeli Missiles Strike Press Convoy of at Least a Dozen Journalists in Southern Lebanon
At least 3 women journalists were reporting on the frontlines when the missiles hit
Location: Lebanon, Yarun
Date: November 13, 2023
Israel missiles hit a press tour of at least twelve journalists reporting on damage caused by Israeli bombing in southern Lebanon. Fortunately, no casualties were reported. The attack occurred a month after fatal strikes in Lebanon, attributed to Israel, killed Reuters journalist Issam Abdallah. The Coalition For Women In Journalism strongly condemns this assault on the press, emphasizing that deliberately targeting journalists constitutes a war crime. We call upon Israeli forces to cease striking press convoys and journalists immediately and to take decisive actions to minimize civilian casualties.
“We were on a tour to inspect damaged houses," journalist Amal Khalil from the Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar told AFP. "Around 15 minutes after we were near a damaged house, the first strike hit the wall of the bombed house, and a second one hit the road," she said.
— امال خليل (@AmalKhalil83) November 13, 2023
On November 13, a group of journalists operating in southern Lebanon reported being deliberately targeted during Israeli strikes, with Al Jazeera confirming that one of its photographers sustained minor injuries.
A local mayor and Lebanese state media corroborated the journalists' account of this cross-border incident. About a dozen journalists from various media outlets were on a tour to assess the damage from Israeli bombardments, providing coverage from the border town of Yarun when the strikes occurred.
Local broadcaster Al Jadeed posted a video showing its correspondent Rif Akil, in a protective vest and helmet marked press, conducting a live broadcast when one strike hit, followed by a blaze nearby.
Nahed Youssef, who works with Al Arabiya, was also present as the missiles struck. She says she and her colleagues ran for safety after the strike, returning when it was safe to document the destruction. Journalists also reported that Israeli surveillance drones had been flying over the town at the time of the attack.
هيدا الفيديو من بعد ما سقط الصاروخ حدنا وركضنا، رجعنا بس لنوثق بالصورة الاجرام الاسرائيلي pic.twitter.com/8RvppyaxMH
— Nahed Youssef (@NahedYussef) November 13, 2023
Al Jazeera's Lebanon bureau chief Mazen Ibrahim accused Israel of "directly targeting" the group, adding that the journalists were in an open area. "Israeli occupation forces don't hesitate to directly target journalists," he claimed.
Since conflict reignited between Israel and Gaza following Hamas’ attack in southern Israel on October 7, tensions between Israel and the Lebanese military group Hezbollah have increased. Areas along the border have seen escalating bombings, with casualties rising on both sides.
On October 13, Israeli shelling near Alma al-Shaab in southern Lebanon killed Reuters videographer Issam Abdallah and injured journalists Carmen Joukhadar, Elie Brakhia, Christina Assi, Dylan Collins, Thaer Al-Sudani, and Maher Nazeh. A Reporters Without Borders video investigation concluded that Israeli forces deliberately targeted the press workers. While the Israeli army claims to be investigating the incident, the repetition of such attacks raises serious questions about the safety of journalists covering tensions in southern Lebanon.
The most recent double missile attack on a press convoy echoes the circumstances that led to the death of Issam Abdallah. In both instances, a group of journalists, clearly identifiable in their protective gear and vehicles marked as press, were subjected to deliberate attacks.
The Committee to Protect Journalists reports at least 42 journalists and media workers have been killed during the recent unrest between Israel and Palestine, making this conflict the deadliest for press workers in 30 years. CFWIJ has documented the killing of five women journalists and numerous threats, assaults against journalists reporting on the conflict on the frontlines and from afar.
On the same day as this latest missile attack, Israel blocked all web access to a Lebanese satellite TV channel, citing "security" concerns. Communication Minister Shlomo Karhi said the security cabinet had approved emergency measures to prevent Al-Mayadeen television from harming the state's security. Al-Mayadeen's network chairman condemned the move, asserting that it was part of Israel's "ongoing policy of arrests, silencing people, and cracking down on freedom of the press and freedom of expression."
These incidents collectively underscore a disturbing trend of Israel’s armed forces targeting journalists. The Coalition For Women In Journalism calls on the international community to condemn these attacks and urges the International Criminal Court to investigate whether these missile strikes on journalists constitute a war crime. We vehemently condemn the killing and targeting of press working on the frontlines, the Israeli Defense Forces must stop these attacks and comply with international humanitarian law.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
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