A Lebanese journalist was killed by an Israeli airstrike while covering military operations in southern Lebanon, despite an active ceasefire. Amal Khalil, a reporter for a local news outlet, died on Wednesday when a missile struck near her location in the village of Tayr Harfa. The Israeli military confirmed the attack, stating it targeted a "military asset" used by Hezbollah, but did not comment on the journalist's death.
Khalil had been documenting the aftermath of earlier Israeli strikes when the attack occurred. Colleagues reported that she was wearing a press vest and was in a clearly marked media vehicle at the time. The incident marks a rare direct targeting of a journalist during the recent hostilities, which have seen periodic exchanges of fire between Israel and Hezbollah.
"She was doing her job, covering the reality of war, and she was killed for it," said a fellow journalist who spoke anonymously.
The Lebanese government condemned the killing, calling it a "violation of international law" and a "crime against press freedom." The Committee to Protect Journalists also urged a full investigation, noting that Khalil's death brings the number of journalists killed in the conflict to seven.
The airstrike occurred during a 10-day ceasefire, which had been brokered by the United Nations to allow for humanitarian aid. Both sides accused each other of violating the truce. The Israeli military stated it had targeted a "terrorist cell" preparing to launch rockets, but provided no evidence linking Khalil to militant activities.