News Desk
BEIRUT: Three Lebanese journalists were killed in an air strike in southern Lebanon after a vehicle was hit, according to reports from Al Manar TV.
Those killed included Al Manar reporter Ali Shaib and Al Mayadeen correspondent Fatima Ftouni. Lebanon’s information minister later confirmed that cameraman Mohammed Ftouni, Fatima’s brother, had also died in the strike.
The Israeli military said it had “eliminated” Shaib, alleging he was affiliated with a Hezbollah intelligence unit and had been reporting on Israeli troop movements. It did not provide evidence for the claim and made no reference to the other two journalists killed in the attack.
Hezbollah rejected the allegation, calling it false and accusing Israel of attempting to deflect responsibility. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said the victims were civilians performing their professional duties and described the strike as a violation of international protections afforded to journalists in conflict zones.
The incident came days after another Lebanese journalist, Hussain Hamood, was killed in a separate Israeli air strike earlier in the week, raising concerns over the safety of media workers amid escalating regional tensions.
The Committee to Protect Journalists said multiple reporters had been killed across the region since the escalation of the conflict involving Iran, highlighting growing risks faced by journalists covering the war.
