According to research by the AFP news agency, the seven journalists who – as reported – came under fire in Lebanon on the border with Israel on October 13, were probably hit by an Israeli tank bullet. Reporter Issam Abdallah was killed in the attack and six other people were injured.
For the investigation, which AFP published in Paris on Thursday, an ammunition fragment, satellite images, witness statements and videos were also assessed by experts. Accordingly, the journalists were hit by a 120-millimeter tank bullet.
Such ammunition is only used by the Israeli army in the region. The attack on October 13 killed Reuters video reporter Abdallah; his injured colleagues were photographers Christina Assi and Dylan Collins (both AFP), two employees of the Al-Jazeera television channel and two other Reuters journalists. Assi was seriously injured. She is still in hospital and her right leg had to be amputated.
The journalists were at the border with Israel to report on the armed clashes in the border area following the brutal attack on Israel by the radical Islamist group Hamas on October 7. The group was hit near the border village of Alma al-Shaab, where clashes occurred almost daily.
Neighbors collected the fragment
Immediately after the attack, a large fragment of ammunition was filmed near Abdallah’s body. The next day, a local resident, who did not want to be named, collected the fragment and took photos at the scene of the attack. AFP had this analyzed by six weapons experts, including former British army officers and researchers with experience in conflict zones.
Bullet apparently fired in Israel
All experts agree that the ammunition fragment comes from a 120-millimeter tank shell used in Israeli Merkava tanks. Apparently it was shot near the Israeli village of Jordeikh. There was no fighting in the region at that time. All seven journalists wore helmets and body armor marked “Press” and stood on a hill behind cameras prominently mounted on tripods.
The two attacks occurred 37 seconds apart and the projectiles hit only four to five meters apart. The experts therefore rule out that it was an accidental attack.
Further investigation confirms AFP information
Separate investigations by human rights organizations Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Amnesty International have confirmed these findings. According to HRW, these were apparently ‘deliberate attacks on civilians’, which could be considered a ‘war crime’. Amnesty also said the incident was “likely a direct attack on civilians that should be investigated as a war crime.”
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
