US Lawmakers Join Calls for Justice

Washington, DC – American journalist Dylan Collins, along with press freedom advocates and US legislators, has renewed calls for accountability following the 2023 Israeli double-tap strike in southern Lebanon that killed Reuters reporter Issam Abdallah and injured Collins.

Collins, a former AFP and Al Jazeera journalist, seeks answers regarding who ordered the attack and the military chain of command behind it. Despite more than two years passing, Israeli authorities have not provided a satisfactory explanation for targeting clearly identified journalists.

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The Attack and Its Aftermath

The October 13, 2023, strike targeted a group of journalists livestreaming near the Lebanese-Israeli border. The correspondents were in clearly marked press gear, with vehicles and equipment visible to drones circling above.

Collins described the attack:

“We were hit twice by tank fire, two shells on the same target, 37 seconds apart. The first strike killed Issam instantly and nearly amputated a colleague’s legs. During the second strike, I sustained multiple shrapnel wounds.”

The strike also wounded Al Jazeera reporters Carmen Joukhadar and Elie Brakhia, as well as AFP’s Christina Assi, who suffered life-altering injuries. UN rapporteur Morris Tidball-Binz labeled the attack “premeditated, targeted, and double-tapped,” calling it a clear violation of international humanitarian law.

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US Lawmakers Press for Action

Senators Chris Van Hollen and Peter Welch, along with Congresswoman Becca Balint, emphasized that they will continue pressing for accountability. Welch has sent multiple letters to the US Department of State, citing Israeli obfuscation and lack of evidence that soldiers or witnesses were questioned.

“We have not seen accountability or justice in this case, and the State Department – our own government – has not done much of anything really to pursue justice in this case,” Van Hollen said, calling the US response a “dereliction of duty.”

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Criticism of US Response

Despite Dylan Collins being a US citizen, neither the Biden nor Trump administrations have publicly addressed the attack. Collins criticized Washington for inaction, noting that showing US officials footage of the strike produced “deafening silence.”

The lack of accountability extends to other incidents as well, including the 2022 killing of Al Jazeera correspondent Shireen Abu Akleh. Advocacy groups argue that Israel’s investigations often shield military personnel from responsibility rather than deliver justice.

Amelia Evans, advocacy director at the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), urged the US to demand Israel identify the military officials responsible and publicly acknowledge failures in investigating these war crimes.

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A “Chilling Effect” on Press Coverage

The attacks have created a chilling effect on reporting in conflict zones. Collins explained that the targeting of journalists in Lebanon affected media coverage during the September 2024 escalation between Israel and Hezbollah.

“If the intention was to stop people from covering the war, then it has worked to some degree,” Collins said, noting that ongoing Israeli attacks have hindered reconstruction and press access in border villages devastated by the conflict.

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The Broader Context

Israel has a history of targeting journalists during military operations, with over 250 journalist killings recorded in recent years. US lawmakers and press freedom organizations argue that failure to hold perpetrators accountable undermines press freedoms worldwide and sets a dangerous precedent for international law.