Israeli strike kills journalist in southern Lebanon

An Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon on Wednesday killed Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil and wounded a photographer accompanying her, marking the deadliest escalation since a recent ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

According to Lebanese officials and her employer, Al-Akhbar, Khalil, 43, was reporting near the town of al-Tayri alongside freelance photographer Zeinab Faraj when the attack occurred. A strike first hit a vehicle ahead of them, prompting the journalists to seek shelter in a nearby house, which was subsequently targeted in another strike.

Faraj was rescued with a head injury, while efforts to reach Khalil were initially obstructed. Lebanese officials and press advocates said Israeli forces dropped a sound grenade and fired shots, preventing rescuers from accessing the site for several hours. Khalil’s body was later recovered after an extended search operation.

Israeli Strikes in Lebanon Kill Five, Including Journalist

Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned the incident, describing the targeting of journalists and obstruction of rescue efforts as “war crimes” and pledging to raise the matter with international bodies. The Lebanese health ministry also accused Israeli forces of hindering humanitarian operations.

The Israeli military said it had struck vehicles that it believed posed a threat after leaving a structure linked to Hezbollah and entering a sensitive security zone. It denied deliberately targeting journalists and rejected claims that it blocked rescue teams.

The incident brings the death toll for the day to five and highlights the fragility of the April 16 ceasefire. It also raises renewed concerns about the safety of media workers covering conflict zones.

Lebanese authorities report that more than 2,400 people have been killed since the conflict escalated earlier this year, as Israel continues operations aimed at creating a buffer zone along its northern border.