Rights Groups Cite Possible Israeli War Crime

International and leading Lebanese human rights organisations have described the killing of a senior Lebanese journalist during an Israeli strike in Lebanon as a possible war crime. The findings were presented in a joint investigative report by Human Rights Watch (HRW), Amnesty International, Lebanon’s Legal Agenda, the Union of Journalists, and other human rights organisations.

According to the report, veteran Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil was killed in an Israeli strike in April while covering clashes between Israel and Hezbollah in the southern Lebanese town of Al-Tiri. Camerawoman Zainab Faraj was seriously injured in the same attack. Based on eyewitness interviews and an analysis of photographs and video footage, the organisations claimed that the circumstances indicate the journalists were deliberately targeted.

The report also alleged that Israeli forces used stun grenades to force the injured journalists away when a Red Cross rescue team arrived. According to HRW, Amal Khalil may still have been alive when the rescue team was forced to withdraw. Israel denied targeting journalists or obstructing rescue efforts.HRW researcher Ramzy Kaiss said, “No journalist should be targeted while carrying out their professional duties. Sadly, this has become increasingly common in Gaza and Lebanon, and it must end immediately.”