Lebanon's prime minister has accused Israel of war crimes after Israeli air strikes killed one journalist and wounded another in southern Lebanon on Wednesday.
The strike killed Amal Khalil, who worked for a Lebanese newspaper, and injured freelance photographer Zeinab Faraj.
Officials in Lebanon allege they were deliberately targeted as they sought refuge in a home after an initial strike on their vehicle, which resulted in two fatalities.
Moreover, officials have accused the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) of targeting a marked ambulance that was attempting to reach the injured journalists in Tayri.
In response, the IDF denied targeting journalists and claims it does not obstruct rescue efforts.
Khalil, 43, and Faraj were traveling together when the strikes occurred. The two men who died in the vehicle strike have not been identified by officials.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf 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 a systematic approach in targeting media personnel in the region.
Salam expressed his condolences to Khalil's family and vowed that Lebanon would pursue these actions in international courts.
The IDF stated it does not specifically target journalists, asserting that it operates with caution to minimize civilian harm while ensuring military safety.
According to the IDF, two vehicles connected to Hezbollah were identified as posing immediate threats. The air strikes were part of a military operation linked to ceasefire violations.
The Lebanese health ministry reported that Khalil and Faraj were targeted while seeking shelter, and that ambulances trying to assist were prevented from reaching the injured.
This incident highlights ongoing tensions in the region, with the zither of hostilities leading to numerous attacks and casualties, including journalists in recent weeks.
On Thursday, journalists gathered in Martyrs' Square, Beirut, to honor Khalil's memory, reflecting on her dedication to journalism during challenging times.
