Israeli Channel 12 reporter Danny Kushmaro recently entered South Lebanon alongside the Israeli Golani Brigade and actively participated in military operations against Lebanese territory.

Footage aired by Channel 12 showed Kushmaro detonating explosives to destroy a building, crossing the boundary between journalism and direct involvement in military action. The incident has drawn widespread condemnation, with legal and ethical experts pointing to Kushmaro’s violation of journalistic norms and international humanitarian law.

Under the Geneva Conventions, journalists operating in conflict zones are protected as civilians, provided they do not engage in combat. By taking direct action in Lebanon, Kushmaro compromised his protected status, turning himself into a legitimate military target. This act of hostility against Lebanon not only undermines international law but also raises questions about Israel’s respect for ethical standards and the rule of law in warfare.

This blatant disregard for journalistic integrity and Lebanese sovereignty is particularly striking given that Israel recently accused six Al Jazeera reporters in Gaza of terrorism, despite their strict adherence to neutrality and their refusal to ally with any armed group. Unlike these journalists, who have abided by both Lebanese and international standards, Kushmaro’s conduct and the decision by Channel 12 to broadcast it highlight an unacceptable double standard.

The move has spurred outrage across Lebanon, where communities have long withstood Israeli aggression on their territory and calls for accountability have gone unheeded. Kushmaro’s conduct not only disrespects Lebanon’s sovereignty but also adds fuel to the fire of regional tensions by turning journalism into a weaponized tool for Israeli interests.

Kushmaro’s participation in the war crimes in Lebanese soil is a disturbing reminder of Israel’s ongoing disregard for international norms and Lebanon’s sovereignty. Critics across Lebanon and beyond are urging Channel 12 and other Israeli outlets to respect journalistic boundaries and international law. As Lebanon grapples with escalating incursions on its territory, the need for truth, impartiality, and accountability in media is essential to ensure that journalism does not serve as an accomplice to Israeli war crimes. (ILKHA)