Targeted Strike Kills Three Journalists in Southern Lebanon
Three Lebanese journalists lost their lives in a targeted Israeli strike in southern Lebanon on Saturday, according to their employers.
Ali Shoeib, a reporter for the Hezbollah-affiliated Al Manar TV, was killed in the town of Jezzine. Alongside him, reporter Fatima Ftouni and cameraman Mohamed Ftouni from the channel Al Mayadeen were also killed, the stations reported.
The strike reportedly hit the journalists' vehicle just before noon local time (10:00 GMT).
Israel Defense Forces Confirm Killing of Ali Shoeib
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed it had killed Ali Shoeib, describing him as a "terrorist" affiliated with Iranian-backed Hezbollah's elite Radwan Force who had "operated for years under the guise of a journalist."
The IDF stated that Shoeib had worked to "expose the locations of IDF soldiers operating in southern Lebanon and along the border," including during the current fighting. They added that he had used his position "to disseminate Hezbollah propaganda materials."
The IDF did not provide comments regarding the deaths of Fatima or Mohamed Ftouni.
Lebanese Leadership Condemns the Strike
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the strike, calling it a "brazen crime" that violated the "most basic rules" of international law by targeting reporters, "who are ultimately civilians performing a professional duty."
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam also condemned the attack in a statement on X, describing it as a "flagrant violation of international humanitarian law and a clear breach of the rules that guarantee the protection of journalists in times of war."
Previous Accusations of Targeting Journalists
This incident marks the second time Israel has been accused of targeting journalists in Lebanon since the US-Israel war against Iran began a month ago.
On 18 March, Al Manar reported that its presenter Mohammad Sherri and his wife were killed in an Israeli strike in Beirut while they were sleeping.
Humanitarian Impact of the Conflict
According to the Lebanese Ministry of Health, more than 1,100 civilians, including 120 children and 42 paramedics, have been killed in Lebanon during the conflict so far.
Additionally, over a million people have been displaced, exacerbating an already severe humanitarian crisis in the country.
Concerns Over Israeli Tactics in Lebanon
Many in Lebanon express concern that Israel is employing tactics similar to those it has been accused of using in Gaza, including the deliberate targeting of civilians, journalists, and paramedics, allegations which Israel denies.
Background: Ceasefire and Escalation
Israel and Hezbollah had agreed to a ceasefire in November 2024, under which both sides were to withdraw from their positions in southern Lebanon.
While some progress was made, it was partial. Israel maintained several military posts in the south and continued to conduct regular attacks on what it identified as Hezbollah targets, accusing the group of attempting to rearm and rebuild its presence.
Following the killing of Iran's supreme leader at the beginning of the current conflict, Hezbollah retaliated by firing rockets into northern Israel, both in response to his death and Israeli attacks since the ceasefire.
Israel has since intensified its operations in the region, stating its objective is to protect communities in northern Israel from attacks by Hezbollah militants.
