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March 19, 2026 – Russia/Lebanon –
An Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon has injured members of a Russia Today (RT) television crew, prompting international condemnation and escalating diplomatic tensions, particularly between Russia and Israel.
According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), British correspondent Steve Sweeney and cameraman Ali Reda Sbeity were wounded when a missile struck just meters away from their position while they were filming in southern Lebanon. The journalists were reportedly wearing clearly marked press gear, and their equipment was visible at the time of the strike.
The incident occurred as the crew was covering ongoing hostilities near the Litani River, an area that has seen repeated Israeli strikes amid the broader regional conflict. Footage from the scene showed a powerful explosion landing close to the journalists during a live report, throwing them to the ground and causing injuries from shrapnel and blast impact.
CPJ called for a thorough and transparent investigation, raising concerns that the strike may have targeted journalists. The organization reiterated that media workers are civilians under international law and must not be attacked while carrying out their duties.
The incident has also triggered a diplomatic response from Moscow. Russia summoned Israel’s ambassador to formally protest the attack, with officials demanding an explanation and urging measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Russian authorities described the strike as unacceptable, with some officials suggesting it may have been deliberate, particularly given that the journalists were clearly identifiable as members of the press.
Israeli officials, however, have maintained that military operations in the area were directed at militant targets and that warnings had been issued to civilians to evacuate before strikes. The Israeli military has consistently denied intentionally targeting journalists, emphasizing that its actions are conducted in accordance with international law.
The incident adds to a growing list of cases involving journalists being injured or killed while covering the conflict in Lebanon and the wider region. Press freedom organizations warn that such repeated incidents highlight an increasingly dangerous environment for reporters, where the risks of operating in active conflict zones are intensifying.
As calls for accountability mount, the attack underscores ongoing tensions between military operations and press freedom, with journalists continuing to face significant угрозы while documenting events on the ground.
Reference –
https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/israeli-strike-wounded-tv-crew-lebanon-not-accidental-russia-says
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-890659
https://www.skeyesmedia.org/en/News/News/19-03-2026/13106
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2636921/media
Israeli strike injures Russia Today crew in southern Lebanon
