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Women Journalists Without Chains (WJWC) strongly condemns the Israeli occupation army's recent attacks on Lebanese civilians, which resulted in numerous fatalities and injuries.
These blatant assaults, carried out on Sunday, January 26, 2025, not only led to the loss of innocent lives but also prevented residents of southern Lebanon from returning to their homes. Such actions constitute collective punishment, a grave violation of international humanitarian law, and a direct breach of the ceasefire agreement that came into effect on November 27, 2024, between the Israeli occupation army and Hezbollah.
Violations of the Ceasefire Agreement
Under the ceasefire agreement, the Israeli occupation army was required to complete its withdrawal from southern Lebanon within 60 days and facilitate the safe return of displaced residents. This deadline expired on January 26, 2025. However, instead of complying, Israeli forces obstructed civilians’ return, opening fire on unarmed residents.
According to official reports from the Lebanese government, the Israeli army targeted returning civilians, resulting in 24 deaths—including six women—and injuring 134 individuals, among them 14 women and 12 children. The Lebanese Ministry of Health confirmed these figures in an official statement, emphasizing the deliberate nature of these attacks.
Targeting of Journalists and Press Freedom Violations
In addition to civilian casualties, Israeli forces also attacked journalists covering these events. WJWC condemns these direct assaults on media professionals, which constitute a severe violation of press freedom and international protections afforded to journalists.
- Joel Maroun, a correspondent for Russia Today, reported that Israeli snipers fired at her and her crew multiple times while they were covering the return of civilians in Kfarkela. She narrowly escaped, but a nearby civilian was wounded.
- In Meiss El Jabal, NBN correspondent Hassan Faqih and photographer Radwan Harb were fired upon twice while reporting on residents returning to their homes.
- In Maroun El Ras, Israeli forces attacked an RT news crew, injuring transmission engineer Hussein Khalil with shrapnel, while correspondent Hussein Ayyan managed to escape unharmed.
These incidents are part of a broader pattern of targeted attacks against journalists in conflict zones. During the previous Israeli assault on Lebanon, six journalists were killed, and several others were wounded in deliberate strikes against media personnel.
WJWC also warns against the risk of Israel replicating its brutal campaign against journalists in Gaza, where over 200 media professionals were killed in what amounted to systematic targeting of witnesses to war crimes. The targeting of press crews, despite their clear identification as journalists, constitutes a flagrant violation of international human rights and humanitarian law.
Legal Protections and Call for International Accountability
International humanitarian law explicitly safeguards civilians and journalists in armed conflicts. Article 79 of the First Additional Protocol to the Geneva Conventions guarantees protection for journalists, affirming that their presence in conflict zones does not justify their targeting. Similarly, Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights upholds journalists' right to freedom of expression and information.
Women Journalists Without Chains urgently calls on the United Nations, international human rights organizations, and relevant legal bodies to take decisive action against Israel’s continued violations, including:
- Immediate Intervention – Pressuring Israel to halt its attacks on Lebanese civilians and journalists and to fully comply with its ceasefire obligations.
- Protection Measures – Ensuring mechanisms to safeguard journalists and civilians in conflict areas in accordance with international law.
- Accountability and Justice– Conducting an independent investigation into the crimes committed by Israeli forces, identifying those responsible, and ensuring they are held accountable before international courts.
- Reparations and Redress – Guaranteeing compensation for the victims and their families, both materially and morally, for the destruction and losses inflicted by Israeli aggression.
The international community must not remain silent in the face of these grave violations. Failure to act will only embolden further impunity and perpetuate injustices against civilians and the press. Women Journalists Without Chains stands in unwavering solidarity with the victims of these attacks and reiterates its commitment to defending press freedom and human rights worldwide.
