DayofPal—Three Lebanese journalists were killed on Saturday after an Israeli air strike targeted a clearly marked press vehicle in southern Lebanon, amid escalating US-Israel war on Iran.
According to reports from Al Mayadeen, four precision missiles struck the vehicle on Jezzine Road, killing journalists Fatima Ftouni, her colleague and brother Mohammed Ftouni, and Ali Shuaib of Al-Manar.
Several other journalists were wounded in the attack. A paramedic responding to the scene was also reportedly killed after emergency teams came under fire.
Israel, which killed over 270 journalists in Gaza, often alleges the targeted reporters are members or linked to armed groups without providing evidence.
The Israeli army confirmed carrying out the strike, alleging that Ali Shuaib was affiliated with a Hezbollah intelligence unit and had been monitoring Israeli troop movements.
It further claimed he was involved in disseminating Hezbollah propaganda. However, both Al-Manar and Al Mayadeen rejected these accusations, maintaining that the victims were carrying out their professional duties as journalists.
Lebanese officials strongly condemned the attack. President Joseph Aoun described the strike as a “blatant crime” and a violation of fundamental principles of international law, emphasizing that journalists are afforded protection during armed wars.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam similarly denounced the incident as a serious breach of international humanitarian law.
On the ground in southern Lebanon, journalists say they continue to operate under extreme risk.
Reporting from Tyre, witnesses described an intensification of Israeli bombardment, with areas south of the Litani River increasingly considered unsafe.
The deaths add to a growing toll among media workers. Al Mayadeen has now lost six journalists since the escalation of the war. Earlier attacks on journalists include Farah Omar, Rabih Me’mari, Ghassan Najjar, and Mohammad Reda.
The broader war has taken a heavy humanitarian toll. Lebanese health authorities report more than 1,100 people killed and over 3,300 injured since early March, as Israeli forces advance deeper into southern Lebanon and Hezbollah intensifies its operations.
Press freedom organizations have raised alarm over the rising number of journalist deaths worldwide.
The Committee to Protect Journalists recorded 129 journalist deaths in 2025, the highest figure in decades, noting that Israel was responsible for two-thirds deaths worldwide that occurred in war zones.
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