American Journalist Seeks Accountability After Israeli Attack

In October 2023, American journalist Dylan Collins was injured during an Israeli military attack on a group of journalists near the Lebanese-Israeli border. The incident occurred shortly after Hamas launched a significant assault from Gaza into southern Israel, prompting Hezbollah to retaliate with rocket fire into Israel. Collins, along with six other journalists, was monitoring military activity when Israeli tank shells struck their location. Collins sustained injuries from shrapnel, while his colleague, Christina Assi, lost her right leg below the knee, and Issam Abdallah, a cameraman with Reuters, was killed.

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Since the attack, Collins has sought accountability from both the Israeli and American governments. He has expressed frustration over the lack of engagement from U.S. officials, stating that he expected more support as an American citizen. Collins has met with representatives from the State Department and the FBI but has not received satisfactory responses. Recently, he renewed his demands for accountability at a press conference with members of Congress, emphasizing his belief that the U.S. government should advocate for its citizens abroad.

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The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and various international organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have condemned the attack, labeling it a deliberate assault on journalists. An analysis by Human Rights Watch indicated that an Israeli drone surveilled the group before the strike, raising questions about the military's intent. CPJ has characterized such attacks as "war crimes," highlighting the broader context of violence against journalists in the region, where at least 246 media workers have been killed since the onset of the conflict.

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The Israeli government has denied intentionally targeting journalists, asserting that the incident is under investigation. The U.S. State Department has stated that it prioritizes the safety of American citizens and has called for Israel to conduct its own investigation. However, Collins remains skeptical about the effectiveness of these responses, noting that he has received little more than assurances without tangible action.

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Collins has criticized the U.S. government's lack of engagement, suggesting that political expediency may be a factor in the absence of support. He recounted a conversation with a staffer from the Trump administration, who indicated that a statement might have been issued had he been killed, but not for an injury. This sentiment reflects a broader concern among journalists and advocates regarding the accountability of military actions that harm media personnel.

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Christina Assi, who underwent extensive medical treatment following the attack, is now learning to walk again with a prosthetic leg and aims to return to her work as a photojournalist. She has voiced her belief that the Israeli military's actions are part of a systematic effort to intimidate journalists, operating with a sense of impunity due to the lack of accountability for such attacks.

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• “I thought my government would fight for me.” — Dylan Collins, Journalist

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• “The intention is purely to scare and kill, basically, journalists.” — Christina Assi, Photojournalist

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• “We have no higher priority than the safety and security of U.S. citizens.” — U.S. State Department Official

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This incident underscores the ongoing risks faced by journalists in conflict zones and the complexities of international accountability in military actions.

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