Israeli strike that killed journalist in Lebanon was war crime, say rights groups
Investigation by Human Rights Watch, Amnesty and Legal Agenda shows Israel deliberately attacked Amal Khalil and colleague Zeinab Faraj knowing they were civilians
TL;DR
- Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and Legal Agenda assert that an Israeli strike killing journalist Amal Khalil and injuring Zeinab Faraj was a war crime.
- The organizations' investigations indicate deliberate and direct attacks on the two civilians, with knowledge of their status.
- Israel is accused of delaying Lebanese ambulances and Red Cross workers from reaching the injured journalists for hours, hindering rescue efforts.
- The delay in rescue may have led to Khalil's death, as hospital reports suggest she could have survived longer.
- Rights groups are demanding investigations into the attacks as war crimes and calling for states to halt arms sales to Israel and impose sanctions on responsible officials.
- Israel stated it regrets harm to journalists and claimed the incident occurred during an operation where two Hezbollah operatives were killed.
- The journalists were covering the conflict in southern Lebanon when their car was struck, and a building they sheltered in was later bombed.