Israel’s missiles kill Reuters journalist, injure 6 in Lebanon

A Reuters video journalist, Issam Abdallah, was killed while six other journalists were injured after missiles fired from the direction of Israel struck them in southern Lebanon on Friday, October 13, 2023.

The group of journalists, including from Al Jazeera and Agence France-Presse (AFP), were working near Alma al-Shaab, close to the Israel border, where the Israeli military and Lebanese militia Hezbollah have been trading fire in border clashes.

Lebanese Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, and a Hezbollah lawmaker blamed the incident on Israel.

Israel’s UN envoy, Gilad Erdan, in a briefing on Friday, said: “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 added that the country would investigate the incident.

Reuters, in a statement, said Abdallah was killed while providing a live video signal for broadcasters.

It said the camera was pointed at a hillside when a loud explosion shook the camera, filling the air with smoke, and screams were heard.

The news agency said: “We are deeply saddened to learn that our videographer, Issam Abdallah, has been killed.

“We are urgently seeking more information, working with authorities in the region, and supporting Issam’s family and colleagues.”

Two other Reuters journalists, Thaer Al-Sudani and Maher Nazeh, were wounded in the incident and released from a hospital after receiving medical care, the news agency said.

Nazeh said Reuters and the two other news organizations were filming missile fire coming from the direction of Israel when one struck Abdallah as he was sitting on a low stone wall near the rest of the group.

The journalist said seconds later, another missile hit the car being used by the group, setting it aflame.

Other news outlets, including the Associated Press and Al Jazeera, said the shells were Israeli.

AFP said two of its journalists were wounded.

Qatari-funded broadcaster Al Jazeera said two of its journalists were also wounded in the incident and had been clearly distinguishable as press.

It blamed Israel for the incident, saying all those behind “this criminal act” should be held accountable.

“The broadcast vehicle was bombed and completely burned despite the presence of our team close to/side by side with the rest of the international media crews in an agreed-upon location,” Al Jazeera said in a statement.

The village of Alma Al-Shaab has been the site of repeated clashes since war erupted further south between Israel and Hamas, a Palestinian militia with close ties to Hezbollah.

Hamas fighters burst out of the Gaza Strip a week ago and launched a deadly assault on Israeli civilians and soldiers, triggering heavy bombardment of Gaza.

Shortly before the Reuters journalist was killed, he posted on social media a photograph of himself wearing a helmet and a flak jacket with the word “press” visible on it.

The Israel Defense Forces did not respond to a request for comment on the incident.

The Star