In brief
Lebanon's prime minister has accused Israel of deliberately targeting journalists after an air strike killed Amal Khalil and injured another during an attack in southern Lebanon. This accusation comes amidst ongoing tensions and highlights fears over the safety of media workers in conflict areas.
Lebanon's prime minister has accused Israel of war crimes after Israeli air strikes killed one journalist and wounded another in southern Lebanon on Wednesday. The strike killed Amal Khalil, who worked for a Lebanese newspaper, and injured freelance photographer Zeinab Faraj.
Officials in Lebanon say they were deliberately targeted as they sought shelter in a home after an initial air strike hit the vehicle in front of them, killing two men.
The officials also accused the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) of intentionally targeting a marked ambulance as it tried to reach the journalists in the village of Tayri. The IDF denied that it was preventing rescue teams from reaching the area and stated it did not target journalists.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned the targeted attacks on journalists, highlighting this incident as part of a larger pattern of aggression. He emphasized that the targeting of journalists and the obstruction of humanitarian efforts amount to war crimes. Salam expressed condolences to Khalil's family and vowed to pursue justice through international forums.
The incident has drawn widespread condemnation from groups such as Reporters Without Borders and the Committee to Protect Journalists, both calling for accountability and highlighting the increasing risks faced by journalists in conflict regions.
On Thursday morning, journalists gathered at Martyrs Square in Beirut to honor Khalil, a respected figure in the media, emphasizing the risks journalists take to report on critical issues amidst war.
