Geneva: Lebanon's permanent representative to the UN in Geneva urged the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk to intervene on Israel's killing of 28 Lebanese journalists since 2023, the Lebanese National News Agency NNA reported Thursday. Ambassador Caroline Ziadeh wrote in a letter that Lebanon's Information Ministry documented 'a series of successive Israeli attacks targeting journalists,' describing them as part of 'a broader and deeply concerning pattern of attacks on civilians, including clearly identifiable media professionals performing their duties.'

According to Anadolu Agency, Ziadeh emphasized that these actions represent significant violations of International Humanitarian Law. She referenced the protections granted under the Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocols, along with the Rome Statute. Ziadeh highlighted that since October 13, 2023, Israeli military operations have resulted in the deaths of 28 Lebanese journalists, including correspondents, photojournalists, and cameramen, without any accountability to date.

Ziadeh urged that the normalization of such acts should be halted and emphasized the need for upholding the protections afforded to journalists during armed conflicts. She called for Turk's intervention to support accountability and stressed that Israel should be compelled to cease these violations and comply fully with its obligations under International Humanitarian Law.

The Red Cross reported that an Israeli strike on Lebanon resulted in the death of Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil while she was fulfilling her duties. Furthermore, more than 2,200 people have been killed, and over 1 million have been displaced due to expanded Israeli attacks on Lebanon since March 2. These attacks occurred shortly after the start of a war against Iran initiated by the US and Israel, and have continued despite a 10-day US-mediated ceasefire agreed on April 16.