KABUL: Experts of the United Nations have strongly condemned the killing of three Lebanese journalists in what they described as a “targeted” attack by Israel, calling it a serious violation and an attack on press freedom.
In a statement released Thursday, the UN urged an immediate, thorough, and independent investigation into the incident by an international body.
According to the statement, the journalists, Ali Shuhaib of Al-Manar TV, Fatima Fatoni, and cameraman Mohammad Fatoni of Al Mayadeen—were killed on March 28 when their vehicle was struck while passing through the Jezzine area in Lebanon.
UN experts said they “strongly condemn what appears to be an increasingly dangerous and recurring pattern” of targeting journalists and later alleging links to armed groups without presenting credible evidence.
They stressed that journalists covering armed conflicts are considered civilians and must not be targeted.
“The intentional killing of journalists not directly participating in hostilities constitutes a grave violation of international human rights and humanitarian law and amounts to a war crime,” the statement said.
The Israeli military has previously acknowledged carrying out the strike that killed the journalists.