Three United Nations experts have called for an independent and thorough investigation into the recent fatal shooting of three journalists in Lebanon, labeling the incident as a significant infringement on press freedom. The UN special rapporteurs, Irene Khan, Morris Tidball-Binz, and Ben Saul, emphasized that journalists performing their duties during armed conflicts are civilians and deserve protection under international humanitarian laws.
The tragic event occurred when the Israeli military targeted a vehicle in southern Lebanon on March 28, resulting in the deaths of Al Mayadeen journalist Fatima Ftouni, her brother Mohamad Ftouni, a freelance photojournalist, and Ali Shoaib of Al-Manar. Both Al Mayadeen and Al-Manar are recognized for their alignment with Hezbollah, and Israel has alleged that Shoaib was a member of the armed group, an assertion that has faced considerable skepticism from both Shoaib’s colleagues and the UN experts. They argued that merely working for a media outlet affiliated with an armed group does not equate to direct participation in hostilities, a principle rooted firmly in international law.
The UN experts pointed out that the Israeli military’s actions reflect a troubling pattern of targeting journalists, indicating that such attacks represent a serious violation of international human rights law. They noted that the Israeli authorities, aware of their obligations, appear to operate under a mindset emboldened by a history of perceived impunity regarding previous attacks on journalists in Lebanon, Gaza, and the West Bank.
Data from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) highlighted an alarming trend, revealing that Israel was implicated in two-thirds of journalist fatalities during 2024 and 2025. Last year, a significant majority of the 86 journalists killed by Israeli fire were Palestinian, emphasizing the vulnerabilities faced by media personnel reporting from conflict zones like the Gaza Strip.
The potential for Lebanon to evolve into a perilous environment for journalists has been underscored by CPJ’s Middle East director, Sara Qudah, who expressed serious concerns following these latest killings. She noted a disturbing trend where journalists are routinely labeled as active combatants without credible evidence to support such claims.
The UN experts further cautioned that Israel’s ongoing assaults on Lebanese journalists represent a calculated effort to stifle reporting on military activities and potential war crimes. The devastation resulting from intensified Israeli operations in Lebanon has resulted in casualties exceeding 1,345 fatalities, along with over 4,040 injuries since early March, as reported by the Lebanese Ministry of Health.
As international attention focuses on the violence in the region, it reinforces the essential role of safeguarding press freedom in conflict zones, where the urgency for reliable and independent reporting remains paramount.
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