3 Journalists Killed In Israeli Airstrike In Jezzine, Lebanon Condemns Violation Of International Law

Lebanon has condemned the killing of three journalists in an Israeli airstrike in the southern town of Jezzine, calling the incident a “flagrant violation of international law” amid escalating hostilities along the Israel-Lebanon border.

The victims were identified as Fatima Ftouni and her brother Mohammed, both affiliated with Al Mayadeen, and Ali Shaib, a senior war correspondent for Al-Manar. According to reports, their vehicle, clearly marked as “Press,” was struck by multiple projectiles on Saturday. A health worker was also killed in the same attack, further raising concerns about the safety of civilians and media personnel in the conflict zone.

The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) defended the strike, alleging that Shaib had been operating within Hezbollah under the cover of journalism. In a statement, the military claimed that “the ‘press vest’ was just a cover for terror,” a characterization that has drawn sharp criticism from Lebanese officials and media organizations. Shaib was widely regarded as one of Al-Manar’s most prominent correspondents, having reported on regional conflicts for decades.

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Fatima Ftouni’s death has drawn particular attention after it emerged that she had posted on social media hours before the strike about Israeli military activity near the Litani River. Her killing comes just weeks after several of her family members, including her uncle, were killed in a separate Israeli airstrike. Al Mayadeen stated that Ftouni was traveling with other journalists in a clearly identifiable press vehicle and noted that it has lost six journalists since early March.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned the attack, accusing Israel of violating international norms that grant protection to journalists during armed conflicts. Their statements reflect growing alarm in Lebanon over the increasing risks faced by media workers, as well as broader concerns about civilian casualties in the ongoing violence.

The incident comes amid intensifying conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which escalated after the Iran-backed group launched rockets on March 2. Israel has since carried out extensive airstrikes and a ground offensive in southern Lebanon, with authorities reporting over 1,100 deaths. Israeli forces are advancing toward the Litani River, with plans to establish a buffer zone, signaling a potential deepening of the conflict and further risks for those reporting from the front lines.

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