The Israeli army, in response to a Reuters investigation concluding that its forces killed a Reuters journalist in southern Lebanon on October 13, stated that the incident occurred in an active combat zone and is under review. Without directly addressing the death of Reuters journalist Issam Abdallah, a military statement indicated that Hezbollah militants launched an attack across the border at that time, prompting Israeli forces to open fire to prevent a suspected armed infiltration.
The statement noted, "On October 13, 2023, the terrorist organization Hezbollah launched an attack on multiple targets within Israeli territory along the Lebanese border." It added, "One incident involved an anti-tank missile that hit the border fence near the village of Haniyta. Following the launch of the anti-tank missile, there were concerns about the potential infiltration of terrorists into Israeli territory. In response, the Israel Defense Forces used artillery and tank fire to prevent the infiltration. The Israeli army is aware of the claim that journalists in the area were killed."
The statement continued, "The area is an active combat zone where gunfire is occurring, and being present in this area is dangerous. The incident is currently under review." Reuters' investigation concluded that an Israeli tank crew killed Abdallah and injured six journalists by firing two shells in quick succession while the journalists were filming cross-border shelling. The two shells resulted in the death of Abdallah (37) and serious injuries to AFP photographer Christina Assi (28) about one kilometer from the Israeli border near the Lebanese village of Alma al-Shaab.
