A Lebanese photojournalist who suffered severe injuries during an Israeli strike in southern Lebanon carried the Olympic torch in Paris to honor journalists wounded and killed in the line of duty.
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Lebanese photojournalist
The torch relay, which began in May, is part of the pre-Olympic celebrations, featuring about 10,000 people from diverse backgrounds chosen to carry the flame across France before the Games commence on July 26.
Christina Assi, a journalist with Agence France-Presse (AFP), was among those hit by Israeli shelling on October 13, 2023, while covering a clash between Israeli forces and Hezbollah along the border. The attack resulted in the amputation of part of her right leg and the death of Reuters videographer Issam Abdallah. Al Jazeera reported injuries to its cameraperson Elie Brakhia and reporter Carmen Joukhadar, and AFP videographer Dylan Collins was also hurt.
In a separate incident last November, Rabih al-Maamari and Farah Omar of Al-Mayadeen were killed by what is believed to be an Israeli drone strike while covering the conflict in southern Lebanon.
On Sunday, Collins helped Assi carry the torch through Vincennes, a Paris suburb, as their AFP colleagues and hundreds of spectators cheered. “I wish Issam was here to see this. And I wish what happened today wasn’t a result of being struck by two rockets,” Assi told The Associated Press, fighting back tears. “I wish I could have honored journalists this way while walking and in my best health.”
Agence France Presse (AFP) Lebanese photographer Christina Assi (C) assisted by AFP video journalist Dylan Collins (L), waves after receiving the Olympic flame during the Olympic Torch Relay in Vincennes, ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. #OlympicGames
Al Jazeera, AFP, and Reuters have all accused Israel of deliberately targeting their journalists, noting that their vehicles were clearly marked and positioned away from the clashes. Rights organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have called for an investigation into the attack, suggesting it could constitute a war crime. The Committee to Protect Journalists reported that at least 108 journalists, primarily Palestinians, have been killed since the onset of Israel’s war on Gaza.
“This is an opportunity to keep the conversation about justice going and to address the targeted attack on October 13 that must be investigated as a war crime,” Collins stated.
The Israeli military has claimed the incident is under review and maintains it did not target journalists. However, a Reuters investigation revealed that an Israeli tank fired two shells in quick succession, killing Abdallah and injuring six others as they filmed the clashes.
Al Jazeera correspondent Ali Hashem, reporting from Alma ash-Shaab, Lebanon, described the incident, “The tank shell hit them directly. It was horrifying. The situation was indescribable.” He emphasized that the reporters’ press markings were clear.
As she held the Olympic torch on Sunday, Assi emphasized that participating in the relay was a message advocating for the protection of journalists, who should be able to work without fear of death. Although she doubts there will be accountability for the events of that October day, she hopes her involvement in the Olympic event will spotlight the need for journalist protection.
“For me,” Assi said, “justice will come the day I can stand up again, hold my camera, and return to work.”
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