Israeli Airstrike Claims Lives of Three Lebanese Journalists in Southern Lebanon
Tragic Loss of Journalists in Targeted Strike
On Saturday, a targeted airstrike in southern Lebanon resulted in the deaths of three journalists, as reported by their respective media organizations. Among the deceased were Ali Shoeib, a reporter for Al Manar TV, and two staff members from Al Mayadeen, namely reporter Fatima Ftouni and cameraman Mohamed Ftouni. The incident occurred in Jezzine shortly before noon local time, with the strike reportedly hitting their vehicle.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the targeting of Shoeib, labeling him a "terrorist" linked to Hezbollah's Radwan Force, claiming he had been operating under the pretense of journalism for years. The IDF accused him of systematically revealing the locations of Israeli soldiers in southern Lebanon and maintaining contact with Hezbollah militants, although they did not provide further details. There was no comment from Israeli officials regarding the deaths of the Ftounis.
An Israeli attack on a marked media car in Lebanon has killed at least three Lebanese journalists. One of the reporters who died had recently reported on the death of seven relatives in an attack on her family home. The Lebanese PM condemned the killings. pic.twitter.com/COoRfLY6oZ
— Al Jazeera Breaking News (@AJENews) March 28, 2026
Lebanese officials have condemned the airstrike, with President Joseph Aoun labeling it a "brazen crime" that breaches international law by targeting journalists, who are civilians fulfilling their professional duties. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam characterized the attack as a "flagrant violation of international humanitarian law" and a clear infringement on the protections afforded to journalists during wartime.
This incident occurs amidst escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed militant group in Lebanon, as the broader conflict involving Iran and Israel intensifies. This marks the second instance in recent weeks where Israel has been accused of targeting journalists in Lebanon; on March 18, Al Manar TV reported the deaths of presenter Mohammad Sherri and his wife in an Israeli strike in Beirut.
According to Lebanon's Ministry of Health, over 1,100 civilians, including 120 children and 42 paramedics, have lost their lives since the conflict escalated. The humanitarian crisis has deepened, with more than one million people displaced. Concerns are rising in Lebanon regarding Israel's tactics, which resemble those previously accused in Gaza, targeting civilians, journalists, and medical personnel. This escalation follows a ceasefire agreement between the two nations in November 2024. However, hostilities have surged since U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, which led to Hezbollah launching rockets into northern Israel in retaliation for the killing of Iran's supreme leader and ongoing Israeli strikes since the ceasefire. Israel has since intensified its military operations, claiming its goal is to safeguard communities in northern Israel from Hezbollah attacks.