Lebanon accuses Israel of war crimes after airstrike kills journalist

An Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon killed Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil and wounded freelance photographer Zeinab Faraj on Wednesday.

The two were targeted while seeking shelter in a home after an initial strike hit a vehicle nearby, killing two men.

Lebanese officials say the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) deliberately targeted the journalists and obstructed rescue efforts by attacking a marked ambulance attempting to reach the wounded in the village of Tayri.

The IDF denied targeting journalists, stating it identified vehicles linked to Hezbollah and struck one that posed an immediate threat after crossing a forward defense line, violating the ceasefire.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned the attacks as war crimes, accusing Israel of repeatedly targeting media workers in southern Lebanon.

He pledged to pursue the matter before international forums and offered condolences to Khalil's family.

The Lebanese health ministry reported that after Khalil and Faraj took refuge in a nearby house following the first raid, Israeli forces targeted that house.

When a Lebanese Red Cross ambulance arrived to treat the wounded, Israeli forces directed stun grenades and gunfire toward it, preventing it from reaching the victims.

This incident occurs amid a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, which is due to expire soon.

Talks are planned in the United States to seek an extension of the truce.

Lebanon plans to request a one-month extension of the ceasefire during upcoming negotiations in Washington.

The IDF stated it acted to mitigate harm to journalists while maintaining troop safety.

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