Human Rights Groups Classify Israeli Attack Killing Lebanese Journalist as War Crime

Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and the Lebanese organization The Legal Agenda have classified an Israeli attack that killed journalist Amal Khalil in southern Lebanon as a war crime. The findings, released on Thursday, follow separate investigations into an incident that occurred on April 22 in the village of Al-Tiri, shortly after a ceasefire announcement between Israel and Hezbollah. Khalil, a 42 year old reporter for Al-Akhbar, and freelancer Zeinab Faraj had taken shelter in a building after an Israeli attack hit a vehicle in front of them; the building was subsequently bombed. While Faraj was rescued, Lebanese authorities accused the Israeli military of hindering efforts to save Khalil while she was still alive.

Human Rights Watch stated the attacks appeared to be deliberate strikes against civilians and civilian property. Amnesty International described it as a direct attack on civilians that must be investigated as a war crime. Both organizations noted that Israeli drones were in the area, suggesting the military knew or should have known the women were civilians. The Legal Agenda concluded the actions were grave violations of International Humanitarian Law. These classifications do not have immediate legal effect but serve as a tool for international pressure.

The Israeli military stated it targeted a vehicle that had left a military structure used by Hezbollah and subsequently hit the structure from which individuals had fled. Israeli forces denied blocking rescue teams. In a response to Amnesty International, the military said the incident underwent a preliminary analysis and that relevant lessons were implemented, adding that it regrets any harm caused to journalists. The military further explained that it evaluates operational circumstances, intelligence, and potential collateral damage before attacks, issuing warnings when viable.

Khalil was a veteran correspondent who covered southern Lebanon during the conflict between 2023 and 2024 and after Hezbollah attacked Israel on March 2. The Committee to Protect Journalists reports that 15 journalists and press professionals have been killed by Israel in Lebanon since October 2023. This includes Reuters journalist Issam Abdallah and injuries to AFP journalists Dylan Collins and Christina Assi. Heba Morayef of Amnesty International stated that impunity for the death of journalists and civilians has allowed illegal airstrikes to continue.