HRW says Israeli strike that killed journalist was war crime

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has accused Israel of carrying out a deliberate airstrike that killed Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil, saying the attack may

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has accused Israel of carrying out a deliberate airstrike that killed Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil, saying the attack may amount to a war crime under international law.

In a report released on Wednesday, the international rights organisation said the strike targeted Amal Khalil and her camerawoman, Zainab Faraj, while they were covering Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon earlier this year.

Amal Khalil, a reporter for the Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on April 22 in the town of Al-Tayri. Her colleague, camerawoman Zainab Faraj, was seriously injured in the same attack.

According to HRW, the available evidence suggests the Israeli military knew journalists were inside the building before launching the strike. The organisation said information gathered during its investigation indicates the attack was intentional and violated international humanitarian law.

The report also referred to requests made by the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the International Committee of the Red Cross for access to the area. HRW said these requests support evidence that authorities were aware of the presence of journalists at the location.

Human Rights Watch further stated that Amal Khalil remained alive for some time after the strike. However, it alleged that Israeli forces prevented rescue workers from reaching the site, delaying emergency medical assistance that could have improved her chances of survival.

The organisation said deliberately targeting journalists performing their professional duties and blocking humanitarian access are serious violations of international law. It added that such actions could constitute war crimes and should be investigated independently.

HRW called for a transparent and impartial investigation into the incident and urged those responsible to be held accountable. It also stressed that journalists covering armed conflicts are civilians protected under international humanitarian law and must not be targeted during military operations.