UN Experts Urge Independent Investigation into Israel's Killing of Journalists in Lebanon, Calling it Potential War Crime

Three United Nations experts have issued a stark warning, urging an independent and thorough investigation into Israel's killing of three journalists in southern Lebanon. The incident, which occurred on March 28, saw Israeli forces target a vehicle carrying Al Mayadeen journalist Fatima Ftouni, her brother Mohamad Ftouni—a freelance photojournalist—and Ali Shoaib of Al-Manar, a pro-Hezbollah media outlet. The UN special rapporteurs—Morris Tidball-Binz, Ben Saul, and Irene Khan—stated that the attack constitutes a "serious violation of international human rights and humanitarian law" and a potential war crime.

The experts emphasized that journalists performing their duties in conflict zones are civilians and must not be targeted. They condemned Israel's claim that Shoaib was a Hezbollah fighter, noting that no evidence was presented to support this assertion. Colleagues of the slain journalists and the UN itself rejected the accusation, stating that working for media affiliated with armed groups does not equate to direct participation in hostilities under international law. The experts accused Israeli officials of acting "emboldened by impunity" for previous attacks on journalists in Lebanon, Gaza, and the West Bank.

The killings follow a troubling pattern. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Israel is responsible for two-thirds of journalist deaths in 2024 and 2025. Of the 86 press members killed by Israeli fire last year, over 60 percent were Palestinian journalists reporting from Gaza during Israel's military campaign there. CPJ's Middle East director, Sara Qudah, warned that Lebanon is becoming "an increasingly deadly zone for journalists," despite their status as civilians. She highlighted Israel's repeated practice of accusing journalists of being combatants without credible evidence.

The UN experts also linked the March 28 incident to a broader effort by Israel to suppress reporting on its military actions in Lebanon and to block coverage of alleged war crimes. They noted that this strategy mirrors tactics used in Gaza, where media outlets have been systematically targeted. Meanwhile, the Lebanese Ministry of Health reported that at least 1,345 people have been killed and 4,040 wounded in Israeli attacks across the country since early March.

Experts stress that the international community must act swiftly to hold Israel accountable. The call for an independent investigation comes amid growing concerns over the erosion of press freedom and the escalating risks faced by journalists in conflict zones. As the UN underscores, the deliberate targeting of media workers undermines not only their safety but also the public's right to information during crises.