Ceasefire Holds as Thousands of Palestinians March North, UN Rapporteur Calls October 2023 Journalist Killing a “War Crime”
An Israeli-announced ceasefire came into effect today as thousands of Palestinians began marching north, following months of conflict with Hezbollah that concluded in November 2024 and resulted in ”thousands of deaths, including more then 1,100 women and children” in Lebanon, according to UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial executions, Morris Tidball-Binz.
Tidball-Binz, speaking at a press conference in Beirut, stated that the October 13, 2023, attack which killed Reuters videographer Issam Abdallah and injured six other journalists, was a “war crime.” He described the incident as “a premeditated,targeted and two-stage attack by Israeli forces,a clear violation (…) of international humanitarian law.”
The attack, which occurred in southern Lebanon, also injured two Agence France-Presse (AFP) journalists: Dylan collins and photographer Christina Assi, who required a right leg amputation. Independant investigations, including one conducted by AFP, determined a 120 mm tank shell of israeli origin was used. Israel has denied intentionally targeting journalists.
The Israeli army maintains the October 13th strike targeted Hezbollah fighters and was “under review.” tidball-Binz expressed “deep concern by the scale,number and severity of israeli attacks (…) including violations of international law” throughout the conflict,adding that such attacks “continue today” in lebanon.
