CPJ, partners urge UN leaders to release full report on journalist Issam Abdallah’s murder

The Committee to Protect Journalists joined its international partners on Friday in signing a letter urging the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNFIL) to publish its investigation into the murder of Reuters video journalist Issam Abdallah, who was killed by Israeli forces in south Lebanon on October 13, 2023. Four journalists injured in the same attack also signed the letter.

According to Reuters, which published the conclusions of the seven-page report summarizing the investigation, dated February 27, 2024, UNIFIL found that an Israeli tank killed Abdallah by firing two 120 mm rounds at a group of “clearly identifiable journalists” in violation of international law.

UNIFIL 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 opened fire, according to the excerpts of the UNFIL report published by Reuters.  

The letter, addressed to U.N. Secretary General António Guterres and other leaders, reflects CPJ’s wider calls for action by the international community, published December 2023.

According to CPJ data, more journalists were killed in the first 10 weeks of the Israel-Gaza war, which has included attacks in Lebanon, than have ever been killed in a single country over an entire year.

Read the full letter here: