EPAFuneral of the Reuters journalist killed in a rocket attack
NOS Nieuws•vandaag, 15:16
Lebanon files an official complaint against Israel at the UN Security Council over the death of Reuters journalist Issam Abdallah. This was reported by the Lebanese state news agency. The Lebanese Foreign Ministry speaks of “Israel’s deliberate killing” of the journalist.
The journalist from Lebanon was killed on Friday by a rocket fire in the south of the country, close to the border with Israel. According to another Reuters journalist, the rockets came from Israel.
Two other journalists from Reuters, two journalists from news channel Al Jazeera and two journalists from the French news agency AFP were also injured in the shooting.
“Attack on press freedom”
Lebanon’s Foreign Ministry calls the shooting “an attack on freedom of the press, freedom of expression, human rights and international law.” According to the government, the journalists were deliberately targeted to “deter journalists from sharing the truth about ongoing shelling in the area.”
The Israeli army said earlier Saturday that it was “deeply saddened” by the journalist’s death, but did not acknowledge responsibility for it. Israel’s UN representative said it must first be determined exactly what happened.
Tension at the border
The journalists were working close to the border with Israel. Tension at the border between the countries has increased due to the war between Hamas and Israel. Hezbollah, a Lebanese political party and militant movement, is an ally of Hamas. Since last Saturday, Hezbollah and Israel have been regularly firing rockets back and forth. Lebanon holds Israel responsible for escalation in the region.
According to UN chief António Guterres, the death of the Reuters journalist shows how risky the conflict between Hamas and Israel can be for the entire region.
Correspondent Daisy Mohr said earlier this week about the tension at the border between Israel and Lebanon:
There is great support for Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, but certainly not among everyone
2023-10-14 13:16:28
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