Beirut: Rescuers recovered the body of prominent Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil from the rubble of a building in the southern village of al-Tiri on Wednesday, hours after an Israeli air strike struck the area. The attack trapped Khalil and freelance photojournalist Zeinab Faraj while they were on assignment.
Circumstances of the deadly strike
According to officials, Khalil last contacted her family and the Lebanese military around 4:10 pm before the strike. Shortly afterward, a direct hit targeted the building where both journalists had taken shelter. Reports indicated that the strike occurred seconds after another Israeli attack on a civilian vehicle nearby.
Moreover, Lebanon’s Health Ministry alleged that Israeli forces deliberately targeted the location where the journalists sought refuge. Rescue teams and ambulances initially failed to reach the site due to continued bombardment and extensive damage, delaying recovery efforts. A senior Lebanese military official later confirmed that teams retrieved Khalil’s body from the debris.
Reactions and growing concerns
Meanwhile, Lebanese authorities and media organizations strongly condemned the killing. Information Minister Paul Morcos and the National News Agency confirmed Khalil’s death, while Prime Minister Nawaf Salam described the incident as a “blatant war crime.” He emphasized that repeated attacks on journalists reflect a broader and concerning pattern rather than isolated incidents.
In addition, the Committee to Protect Journalists urged the international community to pressure Israel to allow safe rescue operations. Lebanon’s Press Club also denounced the strike, calling it part of a deliberate campaign against media workers.
Khalil had extensively covered the conflict since October 2023, reporting from southern Lebanon. Authorities reported that more than 2,400 people have died since the escalation began.
