Lebanon has taken a tentative step forward in seeking justice for the journalists murdered during the recent conflict with Israel, as the Justice Ministry was directed on October 9, 2025, to explore legal measures in response to these atrocities. Yet, the grim reality is that two years have passed since the targeted killing of Reuters journalist Issam Abdallah, and the victims of these heinous war crimes remain without justice. The Lebanese government, which was newly appointed in February 2025, has shown an alarming reluctance to hold accountable those who perpetrate violence against both civilians and journalists.
The death of Issam Abdallah should have served as a watershed moment for the Lebanese authorities, highlighting the urgent need to confront the impunity that fuels ongoing violence. As Human Rights Watch poignantly states, “impunity for war crimes begets more war crimes.” Since Abdallah’s tragic death, numerous civilians have suffered similar fates, caught in the crossfire of Israeli military operations that blatantly disregard international laws of warfare.
The data speaks for itself: since the onset of the conflict, over 200 journalists have been killed in Gaza, many of those deaths appearing to be deliberate acts of aggression. The recent massacre of 31 journalists in Sanaa stands as yet another testament to Israel’s growing disregard for the sanctity of life and the protection of journalists in conflict zones. Such actions not only violate international humanitarian norms but also send a chilling message to those who dare to report on the truth.
In Lebanon specifically, Human Rights Watch has cataloged a series of unlawful attacks and war crimes by the Israeli military, including targeted assaults on journalists, peacekeepers, and essential civilian infrastructure. The systematic destruction of homes and public services has rendered countless residents homeless and displaced, forcing many to abandon their villages altogether. This reality is not merely collateral damage; it is a calculated strategy that perpetuates fear and maintains control.
The evidence of these war crimes is irrefutable. An investigation by the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL) determined that Israeli forces deliberately targeted a group of identifiable journalists, including Abdallah, with tank fire. They were not engaged in combat and were clearly marked as members of the media, yet the brutality of the attack underscores a disturbing pattern of targeting those who seek to report the truth. It reveals a chilling disregard for human life and the safety of civilians.
While the Lebanese government has yet to incorporate international humanitarian law comprehensively into its domestic legal framework, calls for accountability are growing louder. The UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial executions recently urged Lebanon to report and prosecute actions qualifying as international crimes. This is a clarion call for justice that must not be ignored.
Despite a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah established in November 2024, violence continues unabated in Lebanon, with at least 103 civilians reported killed in the ten months following the ceasefire. This ongoing conflict underscores a larger systemic issue—the persistent failure of Lebanon’s government to stand up for its citizens, particularly those in the media who bravely risk their lives to document the truth.
In a move that briefly inspired hope, the Lebanese government announced in March 2024 its intention to grant jurisdiction to the International Criminal Court (ICC) over crimes committed on Lebanese soil. However, this decision was swiftly rescinded, a troubling reminder of the obstacles justice faces in Lebanon—obstacles rooted in political inertia and a lack of accountability.
Lebanon must initiate domestic investigations into these unlawful attacks and take decisive action to accede to the ICC’s Rome Statute. A commitment to justice requires that Lebanon not only accept the court’s jurisdiction but also actively support investigations into war crimes committed since the outbreak of violence on October 7, 2023.
In conclusion, the Lebanese government stands at a crossroads. It can either allow the demands for justice from victims like Issam Abdallah to fade into silence or take a resolute stand against impunity and violence. The time for action is now. Victims’ rights to justice and accountability must be prioritized to challenge entrenched power structures that continue to undermine human rights. Failure to act will only deepen the suffering of the Lebanese people and embolden those who commit these atrocities.
This article highlights the importance of for Lebanon’s Journalists.
