Lebanon Condemns Israel for 'War Crimes' After Journalist Killed in Air Strike

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has formally accused Israel of committing war crimes following Wednesday's Israeli air strikes in southern Lebanon that resulted in the death of journalist Amal Khalil and injuries to freelance photographer Zeinab Faraj.

The strikes targeted a vehicle in the village of Tayri, initially killing two unidentified men. According to Lebanese officials, Khalil and Faraj subsequently sought shelter in a nearby residence, where Israeli forces conducted a follow-up strike. The Lebanese health ministry further alleged that Israeli forces obstructed rescue efforts by directing stun grenades and gunfire at a clearly marked Red Cross ambulance attempting to reach the wounded.

Details of the Incident

Khalil, 43, was a correspondent for the Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar. Faraj, working as an independent photographer, was accompanying her at the time of the strikes. The two individuals who died in the initial attack remain unidentified by officials.

In his statement, Prime Minister Salam asserted that "targeting journalists, obstructing access to them by relief teams, and even targeting their locations again after these teams arrive constitutes described war crimes." He characterized Israel's actions as part of an "established approach" of repeatedly targeting media workers in southern Lebanon and pledged that Lebanon would "pursue the crimes before the competent international forums."

Israeli Defense Forces Response

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) denied the allegations, stating it "does not target journalists and acts to mitigate harm to them while maintaining the safety and security of its troops." According to the IDF's account, two vehicles had departed from "a military structure used by Hezbollah." The military claimed one vehicle approached Israeli troops in an "immediate threat" manner after crossing a forward defense line in violation of the ceasefire agreement.

The IDF stated that the Israeli Air Force struck the vehicle and the structure from which the individuals had fled, but has not acknowledged Khalil's death and insisted it was not preventing rescue teams from accessing the area.

International Condemnation

Clayton Weimer, executive director of Reporters Without Borders, described the incident as "callous disregard, on top of what appears to be a deliberate and targeted killing of a journalist." He noted that his organization had contacted the IDF requesting safe passage for ambulances to reach Khalil.

The US-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) expressed outrage, with Regional Director Sara Qudah stating: "The repeated strikes on the same location, the targeting of an area where journalists were sheltering, and the obstruction of medical and humanitarian access constitute a grave breach of international humanitarian law."

William Christou of The Guardian, who covers the Middle East, remembered Khalil as a "professional, kind and dedicated journalist, and always a pleasure to run into in the field." Al-Akhbar noted that Khalil "remained steadfast in her humanitarian and professional duty."

Pattern of Journalist Deaths

Khalil's death marks the seventh journalist killed by Israeli attacks in Lebanon according to CPJ records. The killing comes amid an escalating trend:

• Earlier this month, two journalists were killed in separate Israeli strikes: Ghada Dayekh from radio station Sawt al-Farah, and Suzan Khalil from Al-Manar TV
• Last month, three journalists died in a targeted Israeli strike in Jezzine: Ali Shoeib from Al-Manar TV, and Fatima Ftouni and cameraman Mohamed Ftouni from Al-Mayadeen channel

The IDF confirmed killing Shoeib and Mohamed Ftouni, describing them as "terrorists" from Hezbollah's military wing, while acknowledging reports of a female journalist's death in that strike.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the killings as a "brazen crime" that violated the "most basic rules" of international law by targeting reporters performing their professional duties as civilians.

Broader Context of Conflict

The Lebanese health ministry reported that at least 100 medical workers have been killed in Israeli attacks during the ongoing war, with over 120 documented Israeli strikes on ambulances and medical facilities. Overall casualty figures provided by Lebanese authorities indicate at least 2,475 people killed and more than 7,500 wounded in Israeli attacks since the conflict's escalation, including at least 274 women and 177 children.

Israeli authorities report that Hezbollah attacks have killed two civilians in Israel since March 2, and that 13 Israeli soldiers have been killed in combat operations in Lebanon.

Ceasefire Negotiations

Both sides have accused each other of violating the ceasefire agreement. The IDF reported that Hezbollah launched attacks on Israeli forces in southern Lebanon on Wednesday, while Hezbollah issued four statements claiming it struck Israeli targets in response to what it characterized as ceasefire violations.

Following talks hosted by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Lebanese and Israeli envoys agreed to implement a 10-day cessation of hostilities beginning Friday to facilitate negotiations toward a permanent security agreement. Lebanese President Aoun confirmed that efforts are underway to extend the ceasefire, with negotiators seeking an end to Israeli attacks, withdrawal of Israeli troops, release of Lebanese prisoners, deployment of Lebanese forces along the border, and initiation of reconstruction efforts.

A Lebanese official indicated that Lebanon would request a one-month ceasefire extension during follow-up talks scheduled in Washington.