Israeli Airstrike Kills 3 Journalists

An Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon killed three journalists: Ali Shoeib of Al-Manar, and Fatima Ftouni and her brother Mohammed Ftouni of Al Mayadeen. Israel claimed Shoeib was a Hezbollah intelligence operative, a claim denied by Hezbollah. The strike, which hit a clearly marked press car, was condemned by Lebanese officials, including President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, as a 'flagrant crime' and 'war crime' violating international law. Following the initial strike, nine paramedics were also killed in a subsequent Israeli attack while attempting to assist the journalists. This incident is part of an intensifying conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which has seen Israel target civilian infrastructure, including media outlets, and has resulted in a significant number of casualties in Lebanon, including over 1,180 deaths since March 2. The World Health Organization has also voiced concerns, stating that health workers should never be targeted under international humanitarian law.