Lebanon condemns Israeli strike on journalists as violation of war protections
Beirut— Joseph Aoun on Saturday condemned an Israeli strike in southern Lebanon that killed three journalists, calling it a violation of international law and protections afforded to civilians during armed conflict, as hostilities linked to the broader Iran–Israel conflict continue to escalate.
Aoun said in a statement that the attack constituted a “blatant crime” and breached international humanitarian law, emphasizing that journalists are civilians performing professional duties and are entitled to protection under the laws of war.
The statement was released by the Lebanese presidency shortly after reports of the strike emerged.A Lebanese military source told AFP that three journalists were killed when their vehicle was targeted in the Jezzine area of southern Lebanon.
The victims included a correspondent affiliated with Hezbollah’s Al-Manar television and another journalist from Al-Mayadeen, a broadcaster seen as close to the Iran-backed group.
Al-Manar confirmed the death of its correspondent, identified as Al Shouaib, while Al-Mayadeen said its journalist, Fatima Fatouni, and her brother, who was working as a cameraman, were also killed in the strike.
The incident adds to mounting concerns over the safety of media personnel operating in conflict zones, particularly in areas experiencing intensified cross-border exchanges between Israeli forces and Hezbollah fighters.
Aoun’s statement framed the strike as part of a pattern of violations, asserting that it undermines established international norms governing armed conflict. No immediate response from Israeli authorities was included in the available information.
The strike occurred amid heightened tensions in Lebanon’s south region as spillover from the broader Iran-linked confrontation continues to draw in multiple actors across the Middle East.
Warning leaflets reportedly dropped in parts of Beirut and ongoing strikes in southern areas reflect an expanding operational environment, raising the risk to both civilians and media workers covering developments on the ground.
