Lebanon: Israeli Shelling Kills 1, Injures 6 Journalists, Including Carmen Joukhadar and Christina Assi
Recent shelling in southern Lebanon resulted in the tragic death of Reuters videographer Issam Abdallah and left several other journalists injured
Location: Lebanon, Alma al-Shaab
Date: October 13, 2023
The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns the targeted Israeli shelling on journalists, killing Issam Abdallah of Reuters, injuring Carmen Joukhadar and Elie Brakhia with Al Jazeera, Christina Assi and Dylan Collins with AFP, and Thaer Al-Sudani and Maher Nazeh with Reuters, in Alma al-Shaab, southern Lebanon. The vital role journalists play in times of crisis underscores the imperative that they should not be subjected to targeting by parties engaged in conflict. Journalists are making significant sacrifices throughout the region to provide critical coverage of the conflict. To prevent the tragic and substantial loss of life, the Coalition For Women In Journalism calls upon all parties involved to implement measures that guarantee their safety.
A Reuters video journalist lost his life, and six other journalists sustained injuries from missiles originating from Israel striking them. The incident unfolded near Alma al-Shaab, near the Israeli border, a region fraught with border clashes between the Israeli military and Lebanese militia Hezbollah. The targeted journalists represented various media organizations, including Al Jazeera and Agence France-Presse (AFP). Among the wounded are women journalists Carmen Joukhadar, who works with Al Jazeera, and Christina Assi, reporting for AFP.
The journalists were on assignment, covering the back-and-forth shelling near Alma Al-Shaab, where tensions between the Israel Defense Forces and Lebanon's militant Hezbollah group had been escalating.
Since the outset of the Israeli-Gaza conflict, CFWIJ has documented the assault on at least three women journalists, including Salam Mema, who together with her family are pinned under rubble following an Israeli airstrike on their home in the Jabalia refugee camp north of the Gaza Strip. At least 11 journalists have been killed, CPJ reports.
The Israel-Lebanon border has witnessed a series of flare-ups following the attack by the Palestinian Hamas on Israel in October. The situation on the ground appears dire, with reports of shelling targeting various villages, including Dhayra, Alma al-Shaab, and Adaysseh, leading to smoke billowing from the area.
Screengrab from Instagram video posted by AFP journalist Christina Assi about an hour before the attack shows the group of journalists clearly identified as press
Just before the journalists were caught in the crossfire, the Israeli army released a statement about an explosion near the border fence in Hanita in Western Galilee in Israel, across from Alma al-Shaab.
An Israeli spokesperson disclosed that a remote-operated army aircraft was striking Hezbollah targets. The Israeli army also mentioned that an "unidentified target crossed into Israeli territory from Lebanese territory and was successfully intercepted by air defense fighters."
Israel's U.N. envoy, Gilad Erdan, expressed regret journalists were caught in the shelling, stating, "Obviously, we would never want to hit or kill or shoot any journalist that is doing its job. But you know, we're in a state of war. Things might happen." He mentioned that the country would conduct an investigation.
Fatima Kanso, Abdallah’s mother, blames Israel for her son's death. "Israel deliberately killed my son. They were all wearing journalists’ gear, and the word 'press' was visible. Israel cannot deny this crime," she told Reuters.
“The tank shell hit them directly. It was horrible. The situation over there was – I can’t explain, I can’t describe it”
Al Jazeera says its journalists were unmistakably identified as press personnel. Their broadcast vehicle was bombed and consumed by flames despite their team being in a designated location alongside other international media crews. The broadcaster holds Israel responsible for the incident, asserting that all individuals responsible for this "criminal act" should be held accountable.
“The tank shell hit them directly. It was horrible. The situation over there was – I can’t explain, I can’t describe it,” Al Jazeera correspondent Ali Hashem says, adding that the team of reporters had been clearly marked as press.
AFP's global news director, Phil Chetwynd, said, "We are deeply concerned that a group of journalists who were clearly identified have been killed and injured while doing their job." He extended condolences to Reuters for the loss of Issam and expressed support for their injured colleagues.
“We are deeply concerned that a group of journalists who were clearly identified have been killed and injured while doing their job”
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his profound condolences to the family of Reuters journalist Issam Abdallah and other journalists who lost their lives in the line of duty. White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre conveyed the condolences of the United States. “Our hearts are with the families of the journalists who lost their lives and those who suffered injuries in Lebanon,” says Jean-Pierre. “Journalists do critical work to better inform the public, often in dangerous conditions.”
Issam Abdallah’s final post on Instagram featured late journalist Shireen Abu Akleh — a household name for her bold coverage of the Israeli-Palestinian crisis. On May 11, 2022, Israeli forces IDF assassinated Abu Akleh with a single bullet to the back of the head while she was covering a raid at a residential area in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Abu Akleh wore a protective vest labeled “PRESS” on both the front and back when she was executed.
Issam Abdallah’s final post on Instagram featuring assassinated journalist Shireen Abu Akleh.
Since and before Abu Akleh’s death, the Coalition For Women In Journalism has documented several Palestinian women journalists assaulted, beaten, injured, imprisoned, and killed. “We only document women and non-binary journalists. The total number of Palestinian journalists is much greater,” CFWIJ founding director Kiran Nazish says.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is actively investigating additional reports of journalists killed, injured, or missing during the flare-up in the Israel-Gaza conflict. The situation remains fraught with risk and continues to be closely monitored by CFWIJ.
We extend our condolences and support to the journalists affected by this latest tragic event and stand in solidarity with the journalists in the area. The critical role of press freedom during conflict is paramount. Journalists must be able to continue unbiased reporting. We earnestly implore all parties participating in the situation to acknowledge the indispensable contribution of journalists and take proactive measures to guarantee their well-being and security. We further demand Israel conduct a thorough investigation and hold those responsible to account. We urge the international community to denounce and investigate war crimes against journalists covering the conflict.
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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