Beirut: An Israeli attack in southern Lebanon in late April that resulted in the death of a female journalist and serious injury to another may constitute a war crime, according to Human Rights Watch (HRW). The organization reported that there are indications civilians might have been deliberately targeted in the incident. According to Nam News Network, HRW asserted that the Israeli military's actions were not in line with their claims of not targeting journalists. Ramzi Kaiss, a Lebanon researcher at HRW, highlighted that the attack on journalists Amal Khalil and Zainab Faraj is part of a disturbing pattern of similar incidents. HRW's investigation, which included video analysis and witness testimonies, concluded that the Israeli military was aware, or should have been aware, that Khalil and Faraj were civilians. The HRW report detailed that three separate attacks occurred on April 22. Initially, a vehicle ahead of the journalists' car was attacked, resulting in two fatalities. Subsequently, the journalist s' vehicle was targeted, prompting them to seek refuge in a nearby building, which was also attacked shortly thereafter. HRW criticized the Israeli military for hindering rescue operations, citing that Lebanese Red Cross paramedics were forced to retreat after a stun grenade was deployed from a drone, and an ambulance was reportedly damaged by gunfire. The Israeli military provided a minimal response to HRW's inquiry into the events and declined to address follow-up questions. The military's preliminary investigation indicated that the journalist was killed amidst "a sequence of events" involving the deaths of two Hezbollah fighters, and that the incident is under investigation. HRW has called for an independent investigation to ensure accountability for any breaches of international humanitarian law. The Israeli military has faced similar accusations regarding the deaths of journalists during the conflict in Gaza. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has alleged that Israel has a history of labeling journalists as terrorists without substantiating evidence.
