Israeli forces killed Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil and wounded her colleague Zeinab Faraj in a targeted strike in southern Lebanon on April 22, 2026.
Strike killed journalist and wounded colleague during reporting assignment
Amal Khalil, a reporter for the Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar, was killed while carrying out journalistic function near a destroyed bridge in Qasmiyeh, Lebanon, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency. Her colleague Zeinab Faraj, a freelance photojournalist, was seriously wounded in the same incident. Both journalists had taken shelter during a series of strikes in the town of Tayri when the building they were in was hit.
Rescue efforts obstructed by ongoing fire according to Lebanese authorities
Lebanese authorities accused Israeli forces of trying to prevent emergency workers from rescuing the journalists, with Red Cross workers taking Faraj to a hospital under “hostile gunfire,” according to the National News Agency. The Red Cross was granted limited access to the site, which remained under active fire, delaying rescue efforts for hours. Rescue teams came under fire while trying to aid the journalists, Lebanese officials said.
Lebanese prime minister labels incident as war crime
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam posted to X that targeting journalists and obstructing access to rescue teams constitutes described war crimes. He said Israeli attacks on media workers were no longer “isolated incidents” but “an established method which we condemn.” Salam offered condolences to Khalil’s family and said Lebanon would “pursue the crimes before the competent international forums.”
Who were the journalists involved in the strike?
Amal Khalil worked for the Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar and Zeinab Faraj was a freelance photojournalist.
What did Lebanese authorities say about the rescue efforts?
Lebanese authorities accused Israeli forces of obstructing rescue efforts, with Red Cross workers taking Faraj to a hospital under hostile gunfire and rescue teams coming under fire while trying to aid the journalists.