Three journalists were killed after an Israeli airstrike struck a media vehiclein southern Lebanon on Saturday near Jezzine. According to reports, the journalists were covering events near Jezzine at the time of the attack. The strike has drawn condemnation from press freedom groups, who said targeting journalists violates international law.
Al-Mayadeen TV reported that the journalists were en route to an assignment when their vehicle was hit. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reported that the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) confirmed carrying out the strike, identifying Shoaib, referred to as Ali Hassan Shaib, as a member of Hezbollah’s Radwan Force. The IDF also alleged that Shoaib used journalism as a cover for intelligence-gathering and maintaining contact with Hezbollah fighters, though no evidence was provided to support these claims.
Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee posted on X that Shoaib was a Hezbollah intelligence-gatherer. CPJ said it had requested further information from the IDF regarding the strike on all three journalists and was told the matter is still under investigation. “CPJ is investigating this latest attack on journalists in Lebanon which has been an increasingly deadly zone for journalists, despite their status as civilians who must not be targeted.
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We have seen a disturbing pattern in this war and in the decades prior of Israel accusing journalists of being active combatants and terrorists without providing credible evidence. Journalists are not legitimate targets, regardless of the outlet they work for,” said CPJ Regional Director Sara Qudah. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Minister of Information Paul Morcos condemned the strike, with Aoun describing the killings as “a blatant crime that violates all the norms and treaties under which journalists enjoy international protection in wars.”
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