TYRE, Lebanon — A British journalist and his cameraman were injured Thursday when an Israeli airstrike hit near them as they reported on damage in southern Lebanon, prompting renewed concern from press freedom groups about the safety of media workers in the conflict.
Steve Sweeney, a correspondent for RT, and cameraman Ali Rida Sbeity were struck by shrapnel near the Qasmiyeh bridge, north of the coastal city of Tyre, according to colleagues and press advocacy organizations. Both were taken to a hospital, where Sweeney underwent surgery for injuries to his shoulder. Their conditions were reported as stable.
The two journalists had been filming in the area following earlier strikes when the blast occurred nearby. Footage circulating online showed a munition landing close behind Sweeney as he reported, sending debris into the air.
The Israeli military said it had carried out strikes on infrastructure it described as being used by Hezbollah for transportation and logistics, including crossings near the Litani River. It said warnings had been issued advising civilians to avoid the area ahead of the strikes and maintained that it does not target journalists.
The Committee to Protect Journalists said it was “alarmed” by the incident and called for an investigation, emphasizing that journalists are civilians and are protected under international law.
“This raises serious concerns about the safety of reporters operating in active war zones,” the organization said, urging all parties to ensure that media workers are not harmed while carrying out their duties.
The incident comes amid escalating hostilities along the Israel-Lebanon border, where exchanges of fire and airstrikes have intensified in recent weeks.
Press freedom advocates say the risks facing journalists in the current conflict are unusually high. According to multiple watchdog groups, including the Committee to Protect Journalists and Reporters Without Borders, the number of journalists killed or injured in the Israel-related conflicts since 2023 has reached levels not seen in modern warfare, with a higher proportion of media casualties than in many previous conflicts. Advocacy organizations have warned that the pace and scale of these incidents raise serious concerns about the protection of journalists and adherence to international humanitarian law.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry condemned the strike and called for international bodies to respond, saying the crew had been clearly identifiable as members of the press.
The strike has added to growing international scrutiny over the risks faced by journalists covering the conflict, as fighting continues to expand across parts of Lebanon and northern Israel.
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