Israeli Airstrike Kills Three Journalists in Southern Lebanon

An Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon on Saturday, March 28, 2026, resulted in the deaths of three journalists covering the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. The targeted attack took place in the district of Jezzine, as reported by the respective television networks of the deceased.

Hezbollah's al-Manar television confirmed the death of its long-time correspondent Ali Shoeib. The Israeli military stated it had targeted Shoeib, labelling him as a Hezbollah intelligence operative, though it did not present any evidence for this claim. In addition, Beirut-based Al-Mayadeen television reported that its reporter Fatima Ftouni was also killed, alongside her brother, Mohammed, who worked as a video journalist. Notably, she had just completed a live report from the region prior to the airstrike.

The airstrike sparked outrage among Lebanese officials, with President Joseph Aoun condemning the act as a “flagrant crime” that breaches laws safeguarding journalists. Al-Manar described Shoeib’s death as the “martyrdom of the icon of resistance media,” reflecting his prominent status as a war correspondent who reported on events in southern Lebanon for nearly 30 years.

The Israeli military's statement claimed that Shoeib was actively disclosing the positions of Israeli soldiers in the area and was alleged to have communicated with Hezbollah militants, although specifics were lacking. Al-Manar did not respond to these allegations but highlighted Shoeib’s reputation for professional and credible reporting.

Israel's assertions echoed similar accusations previously levied against Palestinian journalists during military operations in the Gaza Strip, referring to them as militants masquerading as reporters. Notably, the Israeli military did not mention the other two fatalities in its official communication.

Since the onset of the latest Israel-Hezbollah conflict on March 2, a series of Israeli airstrikes have targeted various Hezbollah locations, including civilian infrastructures such as the headquarters of Al-Manar and its Al-Nour radio station. This airstrike comes shortly after another incident where an Israeli attack in central Beirut killed Mohammed Sherri, Al-Manar’s head of political programmes, along with his spouse.

Following these recent incidents, the toll of journalists and media workers killed in Lebanon this year has risen to five. The Committee to Protect Journalists noted that Hussain Hamood, a freelance photojournalist with links to Al-Manar, was also killed on March 25, 2026, in the southern city of Nabatiyeh.