Reuters Journalist Issam Abdallah Killed by Israeli Shelling in Lebanon
WASHINGTON, October 13 – Following is a statement from Eileen O’Reilly, president of the National Press Club, and Gil Klein, president of the National Press Club Journalism Institute on the death of a Reuters videographer and the wounding of six other journalists from an artillery shell fired by Israeli forces into Southern Lebanon.
“Our hearts go out to the family and colleagues of Reuters journalist Issam Abdallah who was killed today while covering the war between Israel and Hamas. Reuters also said two of their other journalists: Thaer Al-Sudani and Maher Nazeh were among the injured.
“Al-Jazeera reported that two of its journalists: Elie Brakhya and Carmen Joukhadar, were also wounded in the incident. There were also two journalists from AFP who were injured in the incident: photographer Christina Assi and videographer Dylan Collins. The wounded were rushed to hospital in Tyre. Their condition is not known at this time.
Mr. Abdallah was the ninth journalist killed since the Hamas attack on Israel last Saturday.
We now also know of the first Israeli journalist killed in the war. She was Ayelet Arnin, 22, a news editor for Kan News who was among those attending the music festival when she was murdered by Hamas. She is the 10th known journalist killed in the war, now six days on.”
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Founded in 1908, the National Press Club is the world’s leading professional organization for journalists. The Club has 3,000 members representing nearly every major journalism organization and is a leading voice for press freedom in the United States and around the world.
About the National Press Club Journalism Institute
The National Press Club Journalism Institute promotes an engaged global citizenry through an independent and free press, and equips journalists with skills and standards to inform the public in ways that inspire a more representative democracy. As the nonprofit affiliate of the National Press Club, the Institute powers journalism in the public interest.
Contact: Bill McCarren, 202-662-7534 for the National Press Club