Russia Calls for Probe Into Killing of Journalists in Lebanon Strike
Moscow Demands Accountability After Deadly Airstrike
Istanbul — Russia has called for an international investigation into the killing of three journalists in an Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon, urging that those responsible face justice.
In a statement shared on Telegram, the Russian Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the incident and described it as a deliberate attack. The ministry also expressed condolences to the families of the victims.
Officials stated that the strike targeted a civilian vehicle carrying media workers who were traveling to cover a news assignment. According to the ministry, the journalists wore clearly visible press markings at the time of the attack.
Victims Identified in Targeted Strike
The victims included Ali Shuaib, Fatima Fetuni, and photojournalist Mohammed Fetuni. Reports indicated that the strike hit their vehicle in the Jezzine district.
Russian officials argued that the use of precision-guided weapons against a clearly marked press vehicle raised serious concerns under international humanitarian law, which protects civilians, including journalists.
Dispute Over Responsibility
Meanwhile, the ministry rejected Israeli claims that individuals posing as journalists may have been inside the vehicle. It stated that such explanations attempt to avoid responsibility for what it described as a serious violation.
In addition, officials pointed to a recent incident in which a crew from RT narrowly escaped injury in a similar strike, highlighting what they described as a pattern of attacks on media workers.
Diplomatic Protest Filed
Earlier, Russia summoned Oded Joseph to issue a formal protest over a separate Israeli airstrike that injured RT journalists in Lebanon.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova described the latest strike as targeted and said it hit unarmed civilians. She emphasized that the journalists carried only cameras and microphones and operated in an area without military presence.
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