Reuters is calling for a comprehensive inquiry into the recent cross-border incident in southern Lebanon that claimed the life of one of its journalists and injured several others. Issam Abdallah, a video journalist, tragically lost his life, while six additional journalists, two of whom were from AFP, suffered injuries during the event near the village of Alma al-Shaab in southern Lebanon, suspicions among the journalists point to the Israeli side of the border as the source of the gunfire.
Alessandra Galloni, the Editor-in-Chief of Reuters, has reiterated the appeal for Israeli authorities to conduct a swift, thorough, and transparent investigation. She specifically seeks clarity on the rules of engagement in the ongoing conflict.
Violence in the border area between Israel and Lebanon has intensified since a recent attack by the Palestinian group Hamas, resulting in substantial casualties. These clashes have led to over ten fatalities on the Lebanese side, including a Reuters journalist and two civilians. On the Israeli side, at least two lives have been lost.
Although Israel’s military is looking into the circumstances surrounding the incident, they have not taken responsibility. The Lebanese army claims that the journalist’s death resulted from a rocket shell fired by Israel. Lebanon’s foreign ministry has labeled it as a “deliberate killing.”
Apart from addressing Israel, Galloni has also called on Lebanon and other relevant authorities with information to share their findings. She appeals to all parties involved in the conflict to collaborate with media outlets to ensure the safety of journalists reporting from the region.
Galloni expressed her condolences and paid tribute to Issam Abdallah, emphasizing his professionalism and dedication to journalism. AFP, too, has called on both Israeli and Lebanese authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and provide comprehensive and transparent responses regarding the incident.