Rights Groups: Israel Deliberately Targeted Lebanese Journalist in War Crime

A joint investigation by Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and The Legal Agenda found that Israel deliberately targeted Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil and her camerawoman in an April attack.

The United Nations human rights office states that deliberate attacks on civilians are considered war crimes under international law. The findings from the three rights groups indicate the attack on Khalil was not accidental, but a planned strike against the media personnel.

Findings of the Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International Probe

The investigation into the April strike involved coordinated research by Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and the Lebanese organization The Legal Agenda. The groups report that the evidence shows the Israeli military specifically targeted Khalil and her colleague during the operation.

While Khalil was killed in the attack, her camerawoman survived with injuries.

International Legal Status of Attacks on Journalists

The UN human rights office classifies the intentional targeting of civilians as a war crime.