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Lebanon

GCHR mourns the death of journalist Issam Abdullah, killed by Israeli army air strike

19/10/2023

The Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR) expresses its deep sadness over the killing of journalist Issam Abdullah, and sends its deep condolences to his family and colleagues.

On 13 October 2023, Abdullah was killed after an Israeli air strike was launched at Lebanon, during which several missiles targeted a group of journalists in the town of Alma Al-Shaab, located in southern Lebanon.

During the attack itself, six other journalists were injured: Thaer Al-Sudani and Maher Nazeh, also from the Reuters team, photojournalists Dylan Collins and Christina Assi, both working with Agence France-Presse (AFP), and journalist Carmen Joukhadar and photojournalist Elie Barkhya, both working with the Al-Jazeera satellite channel.

The journalists were monitoring the clashes in southern Lebanon. They prominently displayed signs indicating that they were journalists, in addition to wearing helmets and press vests, and they were carrying out their journalistic work away from any military gatherings.

All those who knew journalist Issam Abdullah, 37 years old, unanimously agreed about his human qualities and praised his endeavour to always help others. He has 16 years of experience working with Reuters News Agency in Beirut.

GCHR denounces the targeting of journalists by the Israeli army and calls for it to stop immediately.

On 16 October 2023, UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay said, “I deplore the death of Issam Abdullah. The protection of journalists as civilians is a requirement under international law, including UN Security Council Resolution 2222/2015 on the protection of journalists, media professionals and associated personnel in situations of conflict. I call for a full and transparent investigation to determine the circumstances of this tragedy.”

GCHR calls on the Israeli government to conduct an independent, comprehensive and rapid investigation to uncover the group that carried out the killing of journalist Issam Abdullah and refer them to trial. It must also provide all means of protection to journalists so that they are able to carry out their peaceful and professional journalistic work.