Israel continues its war crimes: Journalist killed, ambulance blocked

Israel continues its war crimes: Journalist killed, ambulance blocked

Journalist Amal Khalil lost her life and photojournalist Zeinab Faraj was injured in an Israeli air operation in southern Lebanon. While Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam described the events as a “war crime,” Israel denies all accusations.

The Israeli airstrike that took place in southern Lebanon yesterday targeted two journalists. Amal Khalil (43), a reporter for the Al-Akhbar newspaper, lost her life in the attack, while freelance photojournalist Zeinab Faraj was injured and taken to the hospital.

Lebanese official authorities reported that the attack began when the vehicle belonging to the journalists was hit, and that the survivors took shelter in a nearby house. However, this house was also bombed shortly after, and two people in the vehicle lost their lives in the initial attack.

The Ministry of Health alleged that a Red Cross ambulance attempting to reach the scene quickly was also stopped by the Israeli army through the use of sound bombs and gunfire, and that aid teams were prevented from entering the area. Officials stated that this situation not only hindered rescue efforts but also put healthcare workers at risk.

''ISRAEL DENIED THE WAR CRIME''

Israel, for its part, announced that the journalists were not intentionally targeted in the attack. In an announcement made by the Israeli army, it was claimed that the vehicles hit had departed from military zones belonging to Hezbollah and that one of them posed an “immediate threat” to Israeli soldiers. The statement from the army said, “Journalists were not deliberately attacked, and the intervention of medical teams was not obstructed.”

The incident also caused a major stir in the international community. Reporters Without Borders and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) stated that the targeting of journalists and medical teams could be considered a grave violation of international law. The organizations reacted to the events, drawing attention to the fact that the same area was struck again and that access for aid teams was blocked.