Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has accused Israeli forces of committing war crimes following the death of journalist Amal Khalil in southern Lebanon due to an airstrike. Khalil, who worked for the Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar, is reported to be the fourth media worker killed in Israeli attacks on Lebanon since March.
Another journalist, identified by Lebanese authorities as Zainab Faraj, a freelance photojournalist, was also injured during the airstrikes. According to the Lebanese news agency NNA, both journalists were sheltering in a building in Tyre when it was struck.
The Lebanese government has further alleged that Israeli forces attempted to obstruct emergency responders from rescuing the journalists. The Red Cross reportedly transported Faraj to a hospital under what was described as “hostile fire,” according to NNA.
“Attacks on journalists and hindering rescue teams from accessing them, followed by subsequent attacks on those teams upon their arrival, constitute war crimes,” Prime Minister Salam stated on social media platform X.
In response, the Israeli military acknowledged that two journalists were injured in the strikes but asserted that they do not target journalists and strive to minimize harm while ensuring the safety of their troops. Israeli officials also claimed that they did not impede rescue teams from accessing the area and noted that an investigation into the incident is ongoing.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that their troops in southern Lebanon observed two vehicles approaching from a military facility allegedly used by Hezbollah. They characterized the vehicles as posing a threat, leading to the military’s decision to strike one of the vehicles and the building from which the occupants fled.
Independent verification of both the Lebanese and Israeli accounts of the incident remains unattainable, as noted by CNN.
The death of journalist Amal Khalil in an Israeli airstrike has prompted Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam to accuse Israel of war crimes. The incident highlights ongoing tensions in the region, particularly concerning the safety of journalists during military operations.