Israeli strike kills three journalists in southern Lebanon
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- Israeli military said it targeted correspondent Ali Shoeib, accusing him of being a Hezbollah intelligence operative, but provided no evidence.
- Al‑Manar TV reported that its longtime correspondent Ali Shoeib was killed in the strike and described him as a distinguished reporter.
- Al‑Mayadeen TV said the same strike killed reporter Fatima Ftouni and her brother Mohammed, a video journalist, while Ftouni was live on air.
- President Joseph Aoun condemned the strike as a “flagrant crime that violates all laws and agreements that protect journalists.”
- Committee to Protect Journalists noted that the latest deaths bring the total number of journalists and media workers killed in Lebanon this year to five.
- Israeli air force has previously struck Hezbollah civilian targets, including Al‑Manar headquarters and Al‑Nour radio station, since the war began on March 2.
Why it matters: The strike eliminates three experienced journalists, further eroding press freedom in Lebanon and underscoring the Israeli military’s pattern of labeling media workers as militants, a tactic previously used against Palestinian reporters in Gaza. It also fuels diplomatic tension as Lebanese President Joseph Aoun denounces the attack, while the Committee to Protect Journalists notes five media deaths in Lebanon this year.
