A video broadcast by Lebanese television channel Al-Manar captured an Israeli military strike that impacted close to its news crew during a live report from southern Lebanon. The incident, which occurred near the village of Alma al-Shaab, resulted in injuries to the journalist and camera operator, according to reports from Lebanese state media.
The footage, which circulated widely after its broadcast, shows reporter Ali Shoeib and camera operator Khodr Markine reporting from an open area. An explosion then occurs a short distance behind them, creating a large plume of smoke and debris. The crew is seen taking cover following the blast.
Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) reported that both journalists sustained minor injuries and were transported for medical care. Al-Manar is a television channel politically affiliated with Hezbollah. In a statement following the incident, the station described the strike as a deliberate targeting of its staff.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have not issued a specific comment on this particular strike. However, in response to general inquiries about incidents in the border region, the IDF has stated its forces are responding to cross-border fire from Lebanon and are targeting Hezbollah military infrastructure. The IDF has also maintained that it does not intentionally target journalists.
The event took place amid sustained cross-border hostilities between the Israeli military and Hezbollah. These exchanges have occurred regularly along the Israel-Lebanon border since the conflict between Israel and Hamas escalated in early October.
Press freedom organizations have noted the risks for media personnel covering the conflict. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) have both issued statements highlighting the dangers faced by reporters in the region. The CPJ has documented multiple cases of journalists being injured or killed while covering the hostilities in both Israel and southern Lebanon.
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), a peacekeeping mission stationed in the south, has repeatedly called on all parties to cease hostilities and exercise restraint to prevent further escalation along the border, known as the Blue Line.
