An Israeli airstrike on Lebanon killed three journalists in full coverage

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun “strongly” condemned the death of the two journalists and the cameraman and said it constitutes “a flagrant crime that violates all norms and treaties that guarantee journalists international protection in armed conflicts”.

“We strongly condemn this attack and ask all international bodies to act to put an end to what is happening in our territory. Likewise, we reiterate our condolences to the families of the victims and to the entire journalistic and media sector in Lebanon,” he denounced in a message on the Lebanese Presidency’s account on X.

The Lebanese president insisted that the attack violates international norms and treaties, such as the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and resolution 1738 of the UN Security Council in 2006, which prohibit attacking journalists and media workers “as long as they do not directly participate in hostilities.”

Al Mayadeen defended the work of Ftouni, who he described as a reporter “recognized for providing accurate and objective coverage” and highlighted her coverage of “the clashes between the resistance and the Israeli Army.” The Lebanese media reported that already in October 2024, the Israeli army had attacked the homes of journalists in Hasbaya, in southern Lebanon, killing three people, including two photographers from Al Mayadeen and Al Manar.

The Israeli Army claimed, after the attack, that Ali Shaib belonged to the intelligence of Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force “under the guise of a journalist from the Al Manar network”, an accusation that it repeats in its attacks against journalists in Gaza, whom it accuses, without providing evidence, of collaborating with Hamas.