BEIRUT: More than 120 individuals and groups on Wednesday called for a United Nations probe into Israeli attacks on journalists in south Lebanon, where three were killed last year.
An appeal addressed to UN rights chief Volker Turk expressed concern over “the Israeli forces’ apparent deliberate targeting of journalists and media workers in Lebanon.”
An AFP investigation into strikes on October 13 that killed Reuters journalist Issam Abdallah and wounded six others, including AFP photographer Christina Assi critically and AFP video journalist Dylan Collins, pointed to a tank shell only used by the Israeli army in the border region.
On November 21, Farah Omar and Rabih Maamari from the pro-Iranian channel Al Mayadeen were killed in Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon, the broadcaster and official media said.
The letter to Turk urged “an investigation to establish the facts and circumstances” around the attacks and for the findings to be published “with a view to holding those responsible accountable.”
Signatories included the Committee to Protect Journalists, local and regional rights groups, Lebanese lawmakers and media outlets including Al Jazeera, as well as AFP’s Collins and Assi.
A separate letter, sent to UNESCO chief Audrey Azoulay, urged her office to “advocate for accountability for the apparent war crimes committed by Israel in south Lebanon.”
In December, Israel’s army said the October strikes occurred in an “active combat zone” and were under review.
Following the November strike, the Israeli military said it was “aware of a claim regarding journalists in the area who were killed as a result of IDF (army) fire.”
It added that there were “active hostilities” in the area and that the incident was under review.
The AFP investigation into the October strikes, jointly conducted with Airwars, an NGO that investigates attacks on civilians in conflict situations, found the attack involved a 120-mm tank shell only used by the Israeli army in this region.
A Reuters investigation found that two Israeli tank rounds fired from the same position across the border were used in the attack.
Human Rights Watch concluded that the October strikes were “apparently deliberate attacks on civilians, which is a war crime” and which “should be prosecuted or may be prosecuted for war crimes.”
France’s foreign ministry in December said “all light” must be shed on the October 13 strikes, while US top diplomat Antony Blinken welcomed an Israeli investigation into the strike as “important and appropriate.”
UN urged to probe deadly Israel strikes against journalists in Lebanon
https://arab.news/gud9r
UN urged to probe deadly Israel strikes against journalists in Lebanon
- More than 120 individuals and groups signed the letter calling for an investigation into the death of three media workers last year
- Israel has been accused on several occasions of deliberately targeting journalists
Independent Arabia celebrates 7th anniversary with global journalism awards
- Journalist Aya Mansour received the Kurt Schork International Journalism Award for her rigorous investigative reporting from Iraq on highly sensitive issues
- ‘SRMG’s support enabled us to reach and connect with massive readership – These awards belong to every journalist:’ Editor-in-Chief Ahdwan Al-Ahmari
LONDON: Independent Arabia on Saturday marked seven years since its launch as a platform for “distinctive content and a bold editorial vision,” having made history as the first Arabic digital outlet to secure licensing rights from an international publication, London-based newspaper The Independent.
Over this seven-year period, the news platform has established itself as a meaningful force within Arab media institutions through political, economic, cultural, and lifestyle coverage that reimagines news delivery and journalistic purpose. By innovating content presentation and format, it has tangibly contributed to reshaping Arabic digital journalism’s landscape.
Recalling the 2019 founding, Editor-in-Chief Ahdwan Al-Ahmari said: “Our fundamental objective was connecting with the widest possible Arab readership. SRMG’s backing enabled us to achieve substantial audience reach through correspondents positioned throughout the Arab region and internationally.”
Since its launch, Independent Arabia has won 11 awards. Its latest came in January 2025 when staff journalist Aya Mansour received the 24th Kurt Schork International Journalism Award in the Local Reporter category for her rigorous investigative reporting from Iraq on highly sensitive issues.
Al-Ahmari dedicated the accolade to every Independent Arabia journalist and media professionals across the Arab world, “particularly our colleagues lost in Yemen and Palestine. I specifically honor Maryam Abu Daqqa, our journalist colleague killed while documenting Gaza’s reality through photography—posthumously recognized at the highest level in Vienna by the International Press Institute with the ‘World Press Freedom Hero’ award.”
“Our initial tagline was ‘Independent Enriches You,’” Al-Ahmari recalled. “As our understanding matured, we recognized that ‘we lie in the details’—prompting the change. Within news media, particularly across SRMG’s distinguished portfolio, integrated coverage matters most. The real competitive edge comes from delivering analytical depth unique to each publication.”
Observing this seventh anniversary milestone, Al-Ahmari expressed appreciation for “everyone contributing publicly and behind the scenes—designers, correspondents, editors, administrative teams—every individual whose dedication keeps us leading the field.”
