Media rights group urges pressure on Israel over deadly 2023 strike

The Committee to Protect Journalists has called for pressure on Israel, including potential economic consequences, if the country fails to hold responsible troops accountable for a deadly 2023 strike on reporters in Lebanon. This attack resulted in the death of a Reuters journalist and injuries to two AFP reporters. Investigations by both news agencies and non-governmental groups concluded that Israel was responsible for the attack.

The Committee to Protect Journalists, a New York-based group promoting press freedom, urged the EU to consider suspending its free trade agreement with Israel until Israel takes responsibility. If those responsible are not held accountable, the Committee argues, this allows impunity to persist and puts other journalists at risk.

The Israeli military has referred the incident to its General Staff Fact-Finding Assessment Mechanism for a comprehensive review, asserting that it does not target journalists and regrets any harm caused. Israel's ambassador to France acknowledged that the journalists were struck by mistake, stating the soldiers on the ground thought they were terrorists.

This attack occurred days after Hamas launched a deadly assault on Israel, leading to a further Israeli military retaliation in Lebanon.