An Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon killed three journalists on Saturday, according to their employers and a Lebanese military source, while Israel claimed one of those killed was a member of Hezbollah.
The victims were identified as Ali Shoeib of Al Manar and Fatima Ftouni of Al Mayadeen, along with Ftouni’s brother, a cameraman. The strike took place in the town of Jezzine. Both Al Mayadeen and Al Manar confirmed the deaths.
The Israeli military said it had targeted Shoeib, alleging he was part of Hezbollah’s Radwan Force intelligence unit. It claimed he operated under the cover of journalism and was involved in exposing positions of Israeli forces in southern Lebanon.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the killings, calling them a “blatant crime” that violates international protections afforded to journalists during conflict. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam described the strike as a “flagrant violation of international humanitarian law.”
The incident comes amid escalating hostilities between Israel and the Iran-backed group Hezbollah. The current phase of conflict began after Hezbollah launched rockets on March 2 following the killing of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a US-Israeli strike.
Israel has since intensified air raids and ground operations across southern Lebanon. On Saturday, multiple strikes were reported in towns and cities, including Nabatiyeh, hitting residential and commercial areas as well as a fuel station.
Hezbollah said it had targeted Israeli troop positions in border areas, including the town of Debel, as fighting continued near the frontier.
The latest deaths add to a growing number of journalists killed in Lebanon since hostilities escalated in 2023. Several international investigations have previously examined similar incidents, raising concerns over the safety of media workers in conflict zones.
Israel has said its operations are aimed at Hezbollah infrastructure, as it continues efforts to push forces away from its northern border.