Israeli forces kill Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil in a strike in southern Lebanon, according to Lebanese officials and her employer, Al-Akhbar newspaper. The attack also wounded freelance photographer Zeinab Faraj and marked the deadliest day since a 10-day ceasefire was announced on April 16.
Khalil, 43, and Faraj were covering developments near the town of al-Tayri when a strike hit a vehicle in front of them. They then ran into a nearby house, which was later struck as well. Faraj suffered a head wound and was later rescued, while Khalil became trapped under the rubble. Lebanese rescuers reportedly faced delays reaching her after the area came under further pressure during rescue attempts.
According to Lebanese officials, rescue teams were blocked for hours and only recovered Khalil’s body after a lengthy search. Her death pushed Wednesday’s toll to five people in southern Lebanon.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam described the targeting of journalists and the obstruction of relief work as “war crimes.” The health ministry also accused Israeli forces of preventing the completion of a humanitarian mission by using a sound grenade and live ammunition near an ambulance. Israel’s military denied preventing rescue teams from reaching the site. It also said it does not target journalists.
Israeli military says vehicles posed threat
In its account, the Israeli military said it identified two vehicles leaving a Hezbollah-linked military structure and entering what it described as a forward defense line in southern Lebanon. It said one vehicle and a nearby building were struck because they posed an immediate threat to troops.
Read: Israeli Strike Kills Three Lebanese Journalists in South
Reuters could not immediately confirm the identities of the two people killed in the first strike. However, it says Khalil and Faraj were then caught in the aftermath after seeking shelter nearby.
Khalil’s death comes at a highly sensitive moment in the conflict. Wednesday is the deadliest day since the ceasefire announced on April 16, underscoring the truce’s fragile state.
