Israel broke international law with tank shelling that killed journalist, UN finds

[groundloop]

Source: The Guardian

An Israeli tank that killed a Reuters journalist and wounded six others in Lebanon last year fired two 120mm rounds at a group of “clearly identifiable journalists” in violation of international law, a UN investigation has found.

The investigation by the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil), summarized in a report seen by Reuters, said its personnel did not record any exchange of fire across the border between Israel and Lebanon for more than 40 minutes before the tank opened fire, killing Issam Abdallah, a 37-year-old video journalist.

“The firing at civilians, in this instance clearly identifiable journalists, constitutes a violation of UNSCR 1701 (2006) and international law,” the Unifil report said, referring to security council resolution 1701.

The seven-page report dated 27 February continued: “It is assessed that there was no exchange of fire across the Blue Line at the time of the incident. The reason for the strikes on the journalists is not known.”

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/mar/13/israel-broke-international-law-journalist-killed

[Mosby]

1. Unscr 1701 also says that Hezbo is required to disarm.

UNIFIL forces were supposed to help disarm Lebanese Hezbollah fighters (the Guardian's term for the terrorist group) and maintain control of the area south of the Litani River to allow government forces time to deploy.

None of that happened, Hezbo basically controls what's left of Lebanon, and the UNIFIL forces have been punked like little #/%%*s, doing nothing because they are afraid of Hezbollah.

[Eko]

2. I think you are reading that wrong.

According to Security Council resolutions 425 (1978) and 426 (1978) of 19 March 1978, UNIFIL was established to:

Confirm the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon.
Restore international peace and security.
Assist the Government of Lebanon in ensuring the return of its effective authority in the area.

According to Security Council resolution 1701 (2006) of 11 August 2006, UNIFIL, in addition to carrying out its mandate under resolutions 425 and 426, shall:

Monitor the cessation of hostilities.
Accompany and support the Lebanese armed forces as they deploy throughout the South, including along the Blue Line, as Israel withdraws its armed forces from Lebanon.
Coordinate its activities referred to in the preceding paragraph (above) with the Government of Lebanon and the Government of Israel.
Extend its assistance to help ensure humanitarian access to civilian populations and the voluntary and safe return of displaced persons.
Assist the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) in taking steps towards the establishment between the Blue Line and the Litani river of an area free of any armed personnel, assets and weapons other than those of the Government of Lebanon and of UNIFIL deployed in this area.
Assist the Government of Lebanon, at its request, in securing its borders and other entry points to prevent the entry in Lebanon without its consent of arms or related materiel.

[Mosby]

4. I'm not reading anything wrong

UNSCR 1701

Full cessation of hostilities (OP1)

Israel to withdraw all of its forces from Lebanon in parallel with Lebanese and UNIFIL soldiers deploying throughout the South (OP2)

A long-term solution based on (OP8)

Disarmament of all armed groups in Lebanon (implying Hezbollah)

No armed forces other than UNIFIL and Lebanese (implying Hezbollah and Israeli forces) will be south of the Litani River

No foreign forces in Lebanon without the consent of its government
Provision to the United Nations of all maps of land mines in Lebanon in Israel's possession

The Resolution calls for "full implementation of the relevant provisions of the Taif Accords, and of resolutions 1559 (2004) and 1680 (2006), that require the disarmament of all armed groups in Lebanon, so that, pursuant to the Lebanese cabinet decision of July 27, 2006, there will be no weapons or authority in Lebanon other than that of the Lebanese state."

[Eko]

5. Upon further reading "ha ha"

I firstly want to state that Lebanon is way more of a complex situation than either mine or your short snapshots of this are not in any way the whole picture. Its (at least to me) obvious that UNIFIL was established to mitigate a situation because Israel invaded Lebanon. It was not until Israel invaded that this took place. Prior to that there had been hostilities between the 2, 3? groups and it was not until Israel invaded that the UN stepped in. 100% proof? No, but it's still pretty good. Absent more information that you can most certainly share to prove me wrong I will leave it at, its a fucking complicated story like all the ME and while I cant show you are wrong, I feel I have more proof that it was intended to move Israel back out of its conquests. Enjoy the conversation, feel free to continue and thanks!
Keep on keeponing.

[EX500rider]

3. I'd have to know the range from the tank to the victims

Before if I can decide if they were readily identifiable by the tank

[Eko]

6. In a tank on a battlefield you have to know 3 basic things.

1. Where the friendly's are.
2. Where the enemy is.
3. 1 and 2
A modern Israeli battle tank has a range of 5 miles. Binocs can see as far as 2 miles. Shooting past what you can visually confirm would be an invite to kill civilians or your own troops without it having been confirmed by others to be enemy. Either way someone messed up and killed journalist because they didnt confirm who it was correctly or,,,. whatever.

[Aussie105]

7. What's the journalist body count up to now?

Just asking.