BEIRUT: An Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon on Saturday killed three journalists who were reporting on the ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, according to their respective media outlets.
Among those killed was veteran correspondent Ali Shoeib of Al-Manar TV, who had spent nearly three decades covering developments in southern Lebanon. The Israeli military said it had targeted him, alleging links to Hezbollah’s intelligence operations, though no evidence was provided.
In the same strike, Fatima Ftouni, a reporter with Al-Mayadeen TV, was killed alongside her brother Mohammed Ftouni in the Jezzine district. Reports said she had just delivered a live broadcast moments before the attack.
Lebanese leadership strongly condemned the incident, with President Joseph Aoun describing it as a “flagrant crime” and a violation of international protections afforded to journalists.
The Israeli military claimed that Shoeib had been revealing the positions of Israeli forces and maintaining contact with Hezbollah fighters, allegations that were not substantiated. Al-Manar TV rejected the characterization, praising him as a professional journalist known for credible reporting.
The strike comes amid a broader escalation that began on March 2, with Israeli air raids targeting sites linked to Hezbollah, including media facilities such as Al-Manar’s headquarters and Al-Nour radio.
Earlier this week, another Israeli strike in Beirut killed senior media figure Mohammed Sherri along with his wife. With the latest incident, the number of journalists killed in Lebanon this year has risen to five.
Meanwhile, cross-border hostilities continue to intensify. Israeli officials said approximately 250 projectiles were fired from Lebanon in the past 24 hours, mostly targeting Israeli troops in the south, with a smaller number crossing into Israeli territory.
Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that 47 people were killed and 112 injured in the past day alone, bringing the total death toll since early March to 1,189. Health Minister Rakan Nassereddine added that nine paramedics were killed in Saturday’s strikes, raising the number of healthcare workers killed to 51.
On the Israeli side, the military said nine soldiers were wounded in two separate attacks in southern Lebanon.
