Large crowds gathered in the Lebanese capital of Beirut to pay their final respects to three journalists who lost their lives in a targeted Israeli strike. The fatal attack occurred in the southern Lebanon town of Jezzine on Saturday, March 28.
The victims have been identified as Ali Shoeib, a correspondent for the Hezbollah-affiliated Al Manar television network, as well as reporter Fatima Ftouni and her brother, cameraman Mohamed Ftouni, who both worked for the Al Mayadeen channel. The respective networks quickly confirmed the deaths of their personnel following the blast.
Addressing the incident, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed responsibility for the strike that killed Shoeib, officially branding the reporter a "terrorist." Despite the severe designation, Israeli military officials have not provided any evidence to substantiate claims that he held an active military role within the organization. Furthermore, the IDF has thus far declined to offer any comment regarding the collateral deaths of Fatima and Mohamed Ftouni.