Lebanon's Prime Minister, Nawaf Salam, has accused Israel of committing war crimes following an airstrike in southern Lebanon that resulted in the death of one journalist and seriously injured another.
Incident Details and Casualties
- Victims: Amal Khalil, a journalist for Al Akhbar newspaper, was killed while working. She is reported as the fourth media worker killed by Israel in Lebanon since March.
- Injured: Zeinab Faraj, a freelance photojournalist, was seriously wounded.
- Circumstances: Both journalists were sheltering in the town of Tayri when the building they occupied was struck by an airstrike.
Allegations from Lebanese Authorities
Lebanese officials leveled several accusations against Israeli forces:
- War Crimes: PM Salam stated that targeting journalists and obstructing rescue teams constitutes war crimes.
- Obstruction: Lebanese authorities accused Israeli forces of attempting to prevent emergency workers from rescuing the journalists. Red Cross workers reportedly took Faraj to a hospital amid what was described as "hostile gunfire."
- Pattern of Attacks: Salam asserted that attacks on media workers are not "isolated incidents" but rather an "established method" that the Lebanese government condemns.
Israeli Military Response and Statements
The Israeli military acknowledged the injuries to the two journalists but issued several rebuttals:
- Denial of Targeting: Israel stated that its actions do not target journalists and that it acts to mitigate harm while ensuring troop safety.
- Access: The military insisted it did not prevent teams from accessing the area, stating that details surrounding the incident are under review.
- Justification for Action: Israel reported that its forces observed two vehicles approaching from a "military structure" allegedly used by Hezbollah. The military claimed the occupants approached threateningly, leading to an attack on one vehicle and a building from which the individuals fled.
International Reaction and Context
- International Condemnation: The airstrikes prompted strong reactions from international bodies, including the United Nations and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).
- CPJ Statement: CPJ Regional Director Sara Qudah held Israeli forces responsible for the endangerment of Khalil and the injuries sustained by Faraj.
- Broader Concerns: The CPJ report indicated that Israel was responsible for two-thirds of all journalist and media worker killings in 2025 (Note: The source material mentions 2025, which is noted here for accuracy).
- Ceasefire Context: The strikes occurred during a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, which was aimed at pausing fighting involving Iran-backed Hezbollah. Direct talks between Israeli and Lebanese officials are scheduled for Washington on Thursday.
