On 28 June, Israeli soldiers opened fire on Al-Ikhbariya Syria journalists covering the Israeli incursion into the village of Al-Abdeen in the western countryside of Daraa in south-west Syria. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate, the Syrian Journalists Union (SJU), in strongly condemning the targeting of journalists and reiterates that deliberate attacks on civilians, including journalists, constitute war crimes.

A man stands near an unexploded artillery shell that fell during reported overnight Israeli bombardment that hit the village of Abidin in Syria's southwestern Daraa province, close to the Golan Heights, on June 29, 2026. Credit: SAM HARIRI / AFP.

Journalists working for the State-owned TV news channel Al-Ikhbariya Syria were covering the incursion of the Israeli army into the village of Al-Abdeen in south-western Syria on 28 June. Israeli soldiers opened fire on the news crew while they were filming the army encampment from a hilltop.

The video clearly shows one reporter wearing a press vest and holding a microphone at the time of the attack.

The Syrian Journalists Union strongly condemned the targeting of journalists and stated: "The Union emphasises that targeting journalists while they are documenting violations against civilians constitutes a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law, UN Resolution 2222, and the Geneva Conventions, which guarantee the protection of journalists as civilians. It also reflects a systematic attempt to obscure the truth and prevent the transmission of facts to public opinion."

IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger said: "Once again, Israel has violated international law by deliberately targeting journalists, and attempting to silence them, in full impunity. We strongly condemn this latest attack and we will do all we can to bring justice to the victims of Israeli attacks, including through the International Court of Justice. The International community must act to put an end to Israel's strategy, which has turned journalism into an increasingly dangerous profession in the Middle East and threatens the safety of journalists across the region and beyond."

The IFJ reiterates its call on United Nations member states to demand independent investigations, support international justice mechanisms and put an end to impunity by adopting an International Convention on the Safety and Independence of Journalists.