An Israeli airstrike hit a clearly marked press vehicle in southern Lebanon on Saturday. It killed at least two journalists.
Al Manar TV correspondent Ali Shoaib and Al Mayadeen correspondent Fatima Ftouni died in the strike near Jezzine. Both TV channels confirmed the deaths. Al Mayadeen reported that the vehicle was clearly labeled as a press car. Ftouni’s brother was also inside at the time of the attack. The channel said Israel fired four precision missiles at the car.
When ambulances arrived, another strike followed. It killed one paramedic. Al Mayadeen shared video footage showing the moment of the strike. It also showed the burned-out remains of the car.
Lebanese President Condemns the Attack
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun strongly condemned the strike. He called it “a blatant crime.” He said it breaks international law and the rules protecting journalists in war zones. “Journalists are civilians doing their professional duty,” he said in an official statement.
Israeli Military Response
The Israeli military admitted carrying out the strike. It claimed Ali Shoaib was a member of Hezbollah’s Radwan Force intelligence unit. The military released video of the strike. It also accused Shoaib of revealing Israeli troop positions and spreading Hezbollah propaganda.
Wider Context
This is not the first loss for Ftouni’s family. Earlier this month, her uncle and his family were killed in another Israeli strike. She had reported that incident live on air.
According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, Israel was responsible for two-thirds of the 129 journalists and media workers killed worldwide in 2025. Reporters Without Borders recorded 67 journalist deaths globally last year.
The incident has drawn fresh criticism. It has raised concerns over the targeting of media workers during the ongoing conflict.
