UN investigation determined: Israeli tank killed Reuters journalist Issam Abdallah in Lebanon

(Patria) - An Israeli tank killed Reuters journalist Issam Abdallah in Lebanon on October 13 last year, after firing two 120mm shells at a group of "clearly identified journalists", which constitutes a violation of international law, a UN investigation into the incident has determined.

The investigation by the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), summarized in a report seen by Reuters, shows that their personnel recorded no exchange of fire across the border with Israel for more than 40 minutes before the Israeli tank opened fire.

"Firing at civilians, in this case clearly identified journalists, constitutes a violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 (2006) and international law.

It is assessed that there was no exchange of fire across the Blue Line at the time of the incident. The reason for the attacks on the journalists is unknown," the UNIFIL report of February 27 states.

In addition to killing Abdallah, the two tank shells wounded six other journalists.

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Nir Dinar, asked about the report's findings, said that Hezbollah attacked their soldiers near the Israeli kibbutz of Hanita on October 13, and the attack was responded to with artillery and tank fire to remove the threat.

Dinar also stressed that the IDF regrets any injury to persons not involved in the conflict and added that the Israeli army does not intentionally fire at civilians, including journalists, but stated that being in a war zone is dangerous.

He announced that the Fact-Finding Mechanism, responsible for investigating extraordinary incidents, will continue to review the incident.