Russia, France urge probe of Israeli ‘murder’ of 3 journalists in attack in south Lebanon

Three journalists killed as Israeli airstrike hit their vehicle near Jezzine in southern Lebanon

Russia on Saturday pushed for an investigation of the “murder” of three journalists in an Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon, bringing those responsible to justice, and to “end this bloody practice once and for all.”

France also denounced the dilebrate killings of Labenese journalists.

On Telegram, the Russian Foreign Ministry expressed its deepest condolences to the families and friends of the deceased correspondents.

“The strikes were aimed,” the ministry underlined. “Tellingly, they targeted an ordinary civilian vehicle carrying media workers en route to an editorial assignment.”

The ministry stressed that the journalists were wearing press insignias, “which nevertheless did not protect them from the precision-guided munitions attack.”

It said Israel is trying to absolve itself of responsibility for the “serious crime” by claiming that terrorists posing as journalists were among the passengers in the car struck by the rocket.

“That the Israeli military is capable of such attacks on civilians, which, according to international law, includes media workers, was demonstrated just 10 days ago, when an RT television crew was nearly killed under similar circumstances,” it added.

On Friday, the ministry summoned Israeli Ambassador Oded Joseph to lodge a strong protest over an Israeli airstrike wounding RT journalists in Lebanon.

Read More: 3 journalists killed in Israeli airstrike

Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called the attack "targeted," adding that it was carried out on unarmed civilians, who are protected by international humanitarian law as journalists.

She emphasised that the journalists were wearing jackets with easily seen press markings, carrying only cameras and microphones, and that the strike occurred in an area with no military facilities.

France denounced the killings

'Journalists must never be targeted in war zones,' says French foreign minister after 3 killed in Lebanon

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot on Sunday denounced the killing of three journalists in an Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon, noting that targeting journalists would be a violation of international law.

"Journalists must never be targeted in war zones, including if they have ties to parties in the conflict,” Barrot told broadcaster France 3, according to BFM TV.

"If it is indeed confirmed that the journalists in question were deliberately targeted by the Israeli army, then this is extremely serious and a blatant violation of international law," he said.

Three journalists were killed on Saturday when an Israeli airstrike targeted a vehicle they were traveling in near the city of Jezzine in southern Lebanon, according to an Anadolu correspondent.

In a statement, the Israeli army admitted the killing of Ali Shuaib, but did not comment on the death of the other two journalists.