Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has accused Israel of war crimes following an Israeli air strike in southern Lebanon that killed journalist Amal Khalil and wounded photographer Zeinab Faraj. The incident occurred on Wednesday and has sparked international condemnation.
🛑 Lebanon’s prime minister says Israeli targeting of journalists constitutes ‘war crimes’
This statement followed an Israeli strike on Lebanon that killed Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil while she was carrying out her duty, an incident confirmed by the Red Cross… pic.twitter.com/664HkB4ZLk
— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) April 23, 2026
According to Lebanese officials, Khalil and Faraj were deliberately targeted while seeking shelter in a home after an initial air strike hit a vehicle in front of them, killing two men. Officials also accused the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) of intentionally targeting a marked ambulance attempting to reach the journalists.
Prime Minister Salam stated, “Targeting journalists, obstructing access to them by relief teams, and even targeting their locations again after these teams arrive constitutes described war crimes.” He further accused Israel of repeatedly targeting media workers in southern Lebanon.
The IDF has denied targeting journalists, stating they “do not target journalists and acts to mitigate harm to them while maintaining the safety and security of its troops.” The IDF claimed the air strike targeted vehicles departing from a Hezbollah military structure and approaching Israeli troops in a threatening manner.
The Lebanese health ministry maintains that the IDF pursued Khalil and Faraj, targeting the house where they sought shelter. They also allege that Israeli forces directed a stun grenade and gunfire toward a Lebanese Red Cross ambulance attempting to reach the wounded.
Clayton Weimer, the executive director of Reporters Without Borders, condemned the IDF’s actions, stating the Red Cross was unable to reach the journalists due to ongoing Israeli bombardment.
The US-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) expressed outrage at Khalil’s death, calling the repeated strikes on the same location, the targeting of an area where journalists were sheltering, and the obstruction of medical and humanitarian access a grave breach of international humanitarian law.
This incident follows a series of attacks in which journalists have been killed in Lebanon. Earlier this month, two journalists were killed in separate Israeli strikes, and last month, three Lebanese journalists were killed in a targeted Israeli strike.
According to Lebanese authorities, at least 2,475 people have been killed in Israeli attacks in Lebanon since the latest war began. The Lebanese health ministry reports that at least 100 medical workers have been killed and over 120 Israeli attacks have been recorded on ambulances and medical facilities. The CPJ reports that Israeli attacks have killed seven journalists in Lebanon.
Israeli authorities claim Hezbollah attacks have killed two civilians in Israel since March 2nd, and that 13 Israeli soldiers have been killed in combat in Lebanon.
Both Hezbollah and Israel have accused each other of violating the ceasefire agreement.
Recent diplomatic efforts, including a meeting hosted by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, brought Lebanese and Israeli envoys together. While a 10-day cessation of hostilities was agreed upon, Lebanon is seeking an extension and an end to Israeli attacks, withdrawal of Israeli troops, release of Lebanese prisoners, deployment of Lebanese troops along the Israeli border, and the beginning of a reconstruction process.
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