Lebanese leaders accused Israel of committing a war crime after a journalist was killed in a Israeli airstrike. Amal Khalil, a 42-year-old journalist from the Al-Akhbar newspaper, was killed while her colleague Zeinab Faraj was injured in the attack in the South, where Israeli forces occupy several regions.
President Joseph Aoun denounced Israel for targeting journalists and hindering access for rescue teams, calling it a war crime. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam also stated that targeting journalists and obstructing access for rescue teams is a war crime and that Lebanon will pursue the case internationally.
The two journalists were taking refuge in a house in the village of al-Tiri when an Israeli strike targeted a car they were traveling in, killing the mayor of the nearby town of Bint Jbeil and another man. Later, an Israeli strike hit the house where the journalists had sought refuge.
Lebanese authorities had to coordinate with UN peacekeepers before the rescuers could access the area to retrieve the body of the second journalist. Lebanon’s Health Ministry accused Israel of hindering rescue operations, including targeting an ambulance clearly marked with a Red Cross sign.
Amid conflicting accounts, Israel claimed to have struck two vehicles carrying ‘terrorists’ who had crossed its defense line in southern Lebanon. Israel mentioned setting a ‘red line’ or an advanced defense line in southern Lebanon and prohibiting residents from returning to the area.
A ceasefire has been in place since April 17 after a war between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah that caused over 2,400 deaths in Lebanon. Israel denied preventing rescue teams from accessing the area and stated that the incident involving the journalists was under review.
Amal Khalil, a correspondent for al-Akhbar known for her coverage of wars in the region, was respected for her courage. Previously, three journalists were killed in an Israeli strike in the south, prompting UN experts to call for an international investigation.
