Amal Khalil Killed in Reported Israeli "Double-Tap" Strike in Southern Lebanon
Amal Khalil killed and colleague Zeinab Faraj wounded in reported Israeli ‘double-tap’ strike in southern Lebanon; repeated strikes delayed rescue teams.
Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil was killed and a colleague, photographer Zeinab Faraj, was injured after what rights groups and local media described as a “double‑tap” Israeli airstrike in the southern village of al‑Tiri on Wednesday.
Rescuers recovered Khalil’s body hours after the strikes while colleagues and civil defence teams said repeated attacks and hostile actions impeded medical and humanitarian access to the site. (apnews.com)
Journalist Killed After Taking Shelter in Al‑Tiri House
Al‑Akhbar, the Lebanese paper that employed Khalil, reported she had taken cover in a house in al‑Tiri after an initial strike hit near the car she was travelling in with her colleague.
Civil defence and local rescuers said the house was subsequently struck and that Khalil’s body was found under rubble only after teams were able to reach the scene. (apnews.com)
Repeated Strikes and Rescue Obstruction Alleged
Journalists and humanitarian organisations on the ground described a pattern of successive strikes that targeted the same location and forced medical teams to withdraw for hours.
Local reports said Israeli forces fired stun grenades and live rounds at emergency teams and ambulances, delaying extraction and treatment for the wounded. (naharnet.com)
Press Freedom Groups Condemn Targeting of Reporters
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and other press freedom groups voiced outrage, saying the apparent targeting of journalists and obstruction of rescue work may amount to grave breaches of international humanitarian law.
CPJ regional staff and other advocates called for an independent inquiry and immediate measures to safeguard media workers covering the conflict. (tokyo tribune.com)
Israeli Military Response and Official Statements
The Israeli military denied deliberately targeting journalists and, in statements carried by some outlets, rejected claims it had prevented rescue teams from reaching the site.
Other reports noted that, at the time of initial publishing, there was no immediate comment from Israeli defence spokespeople regarding Khalil’s death. (tokyo tribune.com)
Lebanese Authorities and Local Officials React
Lebanese officials, including the information ministry, condemned the strike and accused Israeli forces of violating the terms of the recent ceasefire by blocking humanitarian access.
Civil defence and the Lebanese Red Cross issued appeals on social media and to international organisations seeking pressure for safe passage to retrieve casualties. (naharnet.com)
Ceasefire Talks and Pattern of Attacks on Media
Khalil’s death comes amid fragile talks to extend a ceasefire that came into effect earlier in April and as delegations prepared for follow‑up discussions in Washington.
Observers pointed to recent incidents in southern Lebanon where journalists and first responders were struck in similar “double‑tap” patterns, heightening concerns about the safety of reporters working near frontlines. (tokyo tribune.com)
Calls for an independent investigation into the circumstances of Amal Khalil’s death and into allegations that rescue attempts were deliberately obstructed were renewed by rights groups and journalistic organisations, which urged states and international bodies to secure protections for civilians and media workers alike. (tokyo tribune.com)
