An Israeli tank killed Reuters reporter Issam Abdallah in Lebanon last year by firing two 120 mm shells at a group of “clearly identified journalists” in violation of international law, a UN investigation into the incident found on October 13.

An investigation by the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), summarized in a report seen by Reuters, said its personnel did not record any exchange of fire across the border between Israel and Lebanon for more than 40 minutes before the Israeli Merkava tank. open fire

“Shooting on civilians, in this case on clearly identifiable journalists, is a violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 (2006) and international law,” the UNIFIL report said, citing Security Council Resolution 1701.

The seven-page report, dated February 27, also said: “During the incident, there was no firing across the blue line. The reasons for the attacks on journalists are unknown.”

Under Resolution 1701, adopted in 2006 to end the war between Israel and Lebanese Hezbollah militants, UN peacekeepers have been deployed to monitor a ceasefire along the 120-kilometer demarcation line, or Blue Line, between Israel and Lebanon.

As part of their mission, UN troops record ceasefire violations and investigate the worst cases.

In addition to killing Abdallah, two shells injured six other journalists at the scene.

Asked about the UNIFIL report, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Nir Dinar said Hezbollah attacked the IDF near the Israeli community of Hanita on October 13. He responded with artillery and tank fire to eliminate the threat, and later received reports that journalists had been injured.

“The IDF regrets any injuries to non-involved parties and does not deliberately fire on civilians, including journalists,” Dinar said. “The IDF considers freedom of the press extremely important, but makes it clear that being in a war zone is dangerous.”

According to him, the army will continue to investigate the incident.

Reuters editor-in-chief Alessandra Galloni called on Israel to explain how the attack that killed 37-year-old Abdullah could have happened and to bring those responsible to justice.

The UNIFIL report was sent to the United Nations in New York on February 28 and shared with the Lebanese and Israeli militaries, two people familiar with the situation said.