A UN investigation obtained by AFP today shows there was no exchange of fire on Lebanon’s border with Israel on October 13, when an Israeli tank opened fire, killing a Reuters journalist and wounding six others.

According to the conclusions of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) submitted to the Israeli and Lebanese authorities, an Israeli army Merkava tank “fired two 120 mm shells” in the direction of the journalists. The UNIFIL report notes that at the time “there was no exchange of fire along the dividing Blue Line” on the Lebanese-Israeli border, noting that the reason for this strike against the journalists is not known.

“Firing against civilians, in this case journalists, clearly identifiable, constitutes a violation of resolution 1701 (s.s. of the UN Security Council passed in 2006 and calling for a permanent ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon) and international law”, the report continues.

According to the research, afluctuating fire from one side and the other of the Blue Line had been reported before the blow against the journalists.

Isam Abdullah, who worked for Reuters, was killed and six other colleagues were injured. Among them were two AFP journalists: Dylan Collins and Cristina Asi, who had to have her right leg amputated.

The journalists were in the area to cover the daily clashes between the Israeli army on one side and Hezbollah on the other side of the border.

When asked about the UNIFIL report, the Israeli military referred to a statement it issued last Friday that said Israeli tanks and artillery opened fire on Oct. 13 in response to Hezbollah’s firing of anti-tank missiles, rockets and mortars, “to to eliminate the threat.” In this text it is emphasized that the Israeli army “does not deliberately open fire against civilians, especially when it comes to journalists”.