Following the recent cross-border fire incident that resulted in the loss of one of its journalists and the injury of other reporters in Lebanon, Reuters has called on Israel to expeditiously carry out a thorough investigation.
A devastating incident near the village of Alma al-Shaab in southern Lebanon on Friday claimed the life of video journalist Issam Abdallah and left six other journalists wounded, including two from AFP.
According to the journalists, they are convinced that the gunfire that injured them was propelled from the Israeli side of the border.
‘I am reiterating my call to the Israeli authorities, who have said they are investigating, to conduct a swift, thorough and transparent probe into what happened,’ Reuters Editor-in-Chief Alessandra Galloni said in a video posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Monday.
‘By transparent, I mean an investigation with clear evidence and explanation, and I also reiterate my call to the Israeli Defense Forces for clarity regarding the terms of engagement in this conflict,’ she added.
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The conflict has intensified along the Israeli-Lebanese border following a brutal attack orchestrated by the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, resulting in the tragic deaths of more than 1,400 people on October 7. In retaliation, Israel has conducted airstrikes in Gaza, resulting in the loss of over 2,750 lives there.
More than 10 casualties have been reported on the Lebanese side as a result of the clashes, which involved a Reuters journalist and two civilians. On the Israeli side, the death toll stands at a minimum of two.
The Israeli military, on Saturday, stated that it was “examining” the circumstances of the fatal strike that resulted in Abdallah’s death, without taking responsibility.
The Lebanese army, through a statement, confirmed that his death was the outcome of a rocket shell fired by Israel. Lebanon’s foreign ministry echoed the sentiment, denouncing the strike as a “deliberate killing.”
‘I also ask Lebanon, which has said that it has gathered evidence on the attack, and any other authority with information to provide it,’ said Galloni.
‘I urge all parties in this conflict to respect and work with all media to ensure the safety of journalists reporting in the region,’ she added.
Galloni honoured Abdallah, describing him as an “experienced, skilled, and dedicated journalist” who was tragically “just fulfilling his role” at the time of his passing.
AFP has urged both Israeli and Lebanese authorities to conduct ‘an in-depth investigation and provide well-documented, clear, and transparent answers’ to the strike.