UN experts seek inquiry into killing of three Lebanese journalists in Israeli strike

Beirut: United Nations experts have called for an international investigation into the killing of three Lebanese journalists in an Israeli strike in southern Lebanon, saying Israel had not presented credible evidence for its claims that the victims had links to armed groups.

The three journalists, including Al Manar correspondent Ali Shoeib, were killed on March 28. In a statement, the experts said they strongly condemned what they described as an increasingly common and dangerous pattern in which Israel targets journalists and later alleges, without credible proof, that they were connected to armed organisations.

We denounce strongly what has now become a standard, dangerous practice of Israel to target and kill journalists and then claim, without providing any credible evidence, that they were involved with armed groups

The Israeli army had said that Shoeib was a member of Hezbollah’s elite Radwan force and was operating under the guise of a journalist. The experts said Israel’s only evidence for that allegation was a photoshopped image of the journalist.

Israel also acknowledged killing journalist Fatima Ftouni of Al Mayadeen and her brother, cameraman Mohammed Ftouni. It alleged that Mohammed Ftouni was an additional terrorist in Hezbollah’s military wing.

The experts said that employment as a journalist at a media organisation linked to an armed group does not amount to direct participation in hostilities under international humanitarian law. They said Israeli officials were aware of this legal distinction but were disregarding it.

Israeli officials know this, yet they choose to ignore it — emboldened by impunity for their previous killings of journalists in Lebanon, Gaza and the West Bank.

The statement also referred to the broader toll on media workers since 2023. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, at least 231 journalists and media workers have been killed by Israel since 2023. That figure includes 210 in Gaza and 11 in Lebanon.

The experts who issued the call were appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council. However, the report noted that special rapporteurs serve as independent experts and do not speak on behalf of the United Nations.

Call for international scrutiny

The demand for an international investigation comes amid continuing concern over the safety of journalists covering conflict in the region. In this case, the experts said the allegations made by Israel after the strike were unsupported by credible evidence and should be independently examined.

The statement focused on the killings of Ali Shoeib, Fatima Ftouni and Mohammed Ftouni, and challenged the basis on which Israel justified the attack. It said the legal protections afforded to journalists under international humanitarian law cannot be set aside solely because a media outlet is linked to an armed group.