ARTICLE 19 condemns the recent targeting of five journalists in Lebanon and one journalist in Gaza, Palestine. We also condemn Israel’s persistent pattern of portraying journalists as legitimate targets by labelling them as members of armed groups – both before and after attacks. This tactic has been repeatedly used in the war in Gaza and in subsequent escalation in Lebanon. We call for an immediate, independent, and transparent international investigation into these incidents, and for full respect of international humanitarian law, including the obligation to ensure the protection of journalists.
On 8 April, Israel killed two journalists in Lebanon and one in Gaza in the occupied territories of Palestine. Those targeted have been named as Al-Jazeera’s Mohammed Samir Washah, killed in Gaza City, as well as Ghada Dayekh, who worked for Sawt Al-Farah, and Suzan Khalil, who reported for Al-Manar TV and Al-Nour radio, both killed in Lebanon.
The attacks followed the killing of three Lebanese journalists on 28 March, in a targeted Israeli strike in southern Lebanon while the journalists were reportedly on their way to cover an assignment. The victims were named as Ali Shoeib, a reporter for Al Manar TV, and Fatima Ftouni, a reporter for Al Mayadeen, along with her brother Mohamed Ftouni, a cameraman.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) acknowledged responsibility for the 28 March strike, claiming that Shoeib and Mohamed Ftouni were affiliated with Hezbollah’s military wing and were operating ‘under the guise’ of carrying out journalistic activities. The IDF further alleged that Shoeib had been involved in exposing the locations of Israeli soldiers and disseminating propaganda. The IDF has provided no credible evidence to substantiate these claims. Journalists and media actors cannot become targets based on accusations of supporting a conflict party by disseminating ‘propaganda’. Associations of the media outlet to an armed group are also, in itself, not capable of undermining the protected status of journalists.
In what has been described as ‘a blatant demonstration of their disdain for international law,’ by UN experts, including the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression, the IDF shared a manipulated image on social media depicting Shoeib half in press attire and half in military uniform. When questioned by the media, the IDF later admitted the image had been fabricated.
This incident forms part of a broader and recurring pattern throughout Israeli aggression in Gaza since October 2023. Both in Palestine and Lebanon, Israeli authorities continuously associate journalists with armed groups without presenting verifiable evidence, which serves to manufacture consent for their killing. Such narratives undermine the civilian status of journalists and further endanger their safety in an environment marked by a persistent lack of accountability for crimes against journalists.
We reiterate the essential role of journalists in documenting the humanitarian situation in Lebanon and Palestine, and in reporting on developments on the ground, including the mass forced displacement. This matters particularly amid ongoing ceasefire developments and continued uncertainty surrounding their implementation in the country.
Since October 2023, at least 13 media workers have been killed in Lebanon, including four during the recent escalation involving Iran. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, at least 260 journalists have been killed since the beginning of the war in Gaza. ARTICLE 19 calls for an immediate, independent, and transparent international investigation into the killings of journalists in Lebanon and Palestine. We urge Israeli authorities to immediately cease the targeting of journalists and media workers and to fully respect international humanitarian law, including their obligation to ensure the protection of journalists.