UN Experts Demand International Probe Into Israel's Killing of Lebanese Journalists

UN experts called for an independent investigation into Israel's killing of three Lebanese journalists.

“Three United Nations experts have called for an independent and thorough investigation into Israel’s recent killing of three journalists in Lebanon, denouncing the deadly incident as “another egregious attack on press freedom by Israeli forces””

Al Jazeera

The journalists were killed in a targeted strike on their car in southern Lebanon on March 28.

Al Jazeera

Israel accused Shoeib of being a fighter but presented no credible evidence -- only a photoshopped image.

The UN experts rejected the claim, stressing media affiliation does not equal participation in hostilities.

The UN experts warned repeated targeting of journalists creates a climate of impunity.

At least 259 journalists and media workers have been killed by Israel since 2023.

factjo

The experts called on states to pressure Israel and urged Lebanon to create safe conditions for journalism.

The killings sparked widespread condemnation in Lebanon.

“The International Truth — Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Israel's assassination of Lebanese journalists Ali Shuaib and Fatima Fatouni clearly represents a systematic assassination with motives that go beyond the mere elimination of individuals”

factjo

President Aoun described the attack as a flagrant crime, and the Information Minister labelled it a war crime.

The destruction of the journalists' car was symbolically powerful.

The use of affiliation as justification raises difficult legal and ethical questions.