Israeli strike kills Lebanese journalist as ceasefire falters

Amal Khalil died after Israeli forces struck building where she sheltered, then blocked rescuers with sound grenades.

Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon killed at least five people on Wednesday, including Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil, in what Lebanon's government described as a heinous crime². The deaths marked the deadliest day since a 10-day ceasefire was announced on April 16 to halt hostilities between Israel and Lebanese armed group Hezbollah³.

Khalil, 43, and freelance photographer Zeinab Faraj were covering developments near the town of al-Tayri when an Israeli strike hit the vehicle in front of them³. The two journalists ran into a nearby house, which was then also targeted by an Israeli strike, according to Lebanon's health ministry, a senior Lebanese military official, and press advocates³.

Lebanese rescuers retrieved Faraj, who had suffered a head wound³. When rescuers returned to help Khalil, the Israeli military dropped a sound grenade, blocking their access to the damaged building, according to Elsy Moufarrej, who runs the Union of Journalists in Lebanon, and the senior military official³. The health ministry said Israel's military prevented the completion of the humanitarian mission by firing a sound grenade and live ammunition³.

The Israeli military said in a statement it had received reports that two journalists were injured as a result of its strikes³. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military on Khalil's death³.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said the targeting of journalists and the obstruction of relief efforts constituted war crimes³. "Lebanon will spare no effort in pursuing these crimes before the relevant international bodies," he said on X³.

Lebanon's disaster management unit has raised the death toll from weeks of Israeli attacks to 2,454, with 7,658 people injured¹.