Jakarta, ThedailyID — An Israeli airstrike killed a Lebanese journalist while she reported from southern Lebanon on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.
The victim, Amal Khalil (43), worked for Al-Akhbar. She took shelter inside a house in al-Tiri after an earlier strike hit near the car she was traveling in with Zeinab Faraj. The Lebanese Ministry of Public Health said the first strike killed two people. Shortly after, another strike hit the house where both journalists had taken cover.
Rescue teams reached Faraj and evacuated her in critical condition. However, Israeli forces then opened fire toward the crews, forcing them to stop their efforts.
“The military prevented the completion of the humanitarian mission,” the ministry said. “They fired a sound grenade and live ammunition at the ambulance.”
Khalil remained trapped under the rubble for hours. Later, the Lebanese Army, Civil Defence Lebanon, and Lebanese Red Cross reached the site and recovered her body shortly before midnight. Lebanese officials strongly condemned the incident. Paul Morcos said, “Killing of journalists is a crime and a flagrant violation of international and humanitarian law.”
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam also criticized the attack. He called the targeting of journalists and the obstruction of rescue efforts “war crimes.”
Khalil, 43, had reported from southern Lebanon since 2006. She recently covered Israeli demolitions in villages where troops operate. Her death brought the total number of people killed that day to five. It also marked the deadliest day since a 10-day ceasefire began on April 16.
Overall, the incident has raised concerns about journalist safety in conflict zones. It also intensified scrutiny over military actions affecting civilians and media workers.
