Two Journalists United by Tragedy: A Heartbreaking Farewell to Issam Abdallah

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The Chenab Times – In a poignant and heart-wrenching turn of events, the world has witnessed the tragic fate of Issam Abdallah, the Reuters video journalist who lost his life in a missile attack near the Israel-Lebanon border. As we mourn the loss of a dedicated journalist, his final Instagram post has brought to light a cruel irony of fate, intertwining the stories of two journalists targeted while doing their work.

Issam Abdallah’s last Instagram post, shared a week ago, featured a photograph of Shireen Abu Akleh, an Al Jazeera journalist who met a similar fate, losing her life while covering a raid in the West Bank. Issam’s heartfelt caption, “Shireen ❤️” in Arabic, now serves as a poignant tribute to both their lives and the risks they faced while reporting from conflict zones.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CyFudUft36x/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Human Rights Lawyer Mai El-Sadany drew attention to Issam’s last post, sharing a screenshot of it on her social media platform 𝕏 and expressing the profound tragedy of their shared destinies. “It’s devastating that Issam Abdallah’s last post on Instagram was one remembering the late Shireen Abu Akleh. A story of two journalists, both of whom were targeted by Israel while doing their work.”

It's devastating that Issam Abdallah (@LbIssam)'s last post on Instagram was one remembering the late Shireen Abu Akleh.

A story of two journalists, both of whom were targeted by Israel, while doing their work. pic.twitter.com/l0gzn8G4V5

— Mai El-Sadany (@maitelsadany) October 13, 2023

Issam Abdallah’s final post carries a heavy weight, as it reminds us of the real people behind the headlines and the inherent dangers they face in their pursuit of truth. The timing of this post, shared just a week before his own tragic end, is a stark and heartbreaking coincidence.

The tragedy becomes all the more poignant when we consider the circumstances of both journalists’ deaths. Issam Abdallah and his colleagues were part of a group clearly marked as members of the press, emphasizing their neutrality and dedication to reporting the truth.

Israel has faced accusations of targeting members of the press in the past, with Shireen Abu Akleh’s case serving as a grim reminder. She was shot in the head by the Israel Defense Forces on May 11, 2022, while covering a raid in the West Bank. These incidents underscore the urgent need for protection of journalists, who play a vital role in providing the world with an objective view of events in conflict zones.

Freelance Journalist Michael Downey’s video on social media platform 𝕏 further corroborates the tragic events. The video, captured just moments before the IDF targeted the group of journalists in Lebanon, shows them wearing proper journalist’s gear, unmistakably identifying themselves as members of the press. Downey’s comment on the video asserts that there was no warning shot, indicating that the attack on the journalists was intentional.

Video from just before IDF targeted a group of journalists in #Lebanon, killing 1 and injuring 6, clearly designated they were press. No warning shot, this was intentional. #Israel pic.twitter.com/BdLEpmjmmf

— Michael Downey (@mgdowney) October 13, 2023

Issam Abdallah’s final Instagram post and his untimely death resonate as a heart-wrenching reminder of the perils journalists face while reporting from conflict zones. Their dedication to their work, despite the risks, serves as a testament to the importance of a free and independent press in bringing truth to light. We mourn the loss of Issam Abdallah and Shireen Abu Akleh, two journalists united by their commitment to their profession and the tragic circumstances that befell them.

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Anzer Ayoob

Anzer Ayoob is the Founder and Chief Editor to The Chenab Times