British Journalist Steve Sweeney Says Israeli Strike in Southern Lebanon Targeted His Crew

British Journalist Steve Sweeney Says Israeli Strike in Southern Lebanon Targeted His Crew

British journalist Steve Sweeney has alleged that an اسرائیלי airstrike in southern Lebanon was a deliberate attempt to kill him and his cameraman while they were reporting near a military site. The incident occurred as Sweeney, a correspondent for Russia Today, was filming close to a local military base when a missile struck just meters behind him.

Video footage captured by cameraman Ali Rida shows Sweeney speaking to camera moments before the explosion. As the missile hits the ground nearby, both men are thrown off their feet by the force of the blast. The pair sustained minor injuries, though Sweeney later said a piece of shrapnel became lodged in his arm and required hospital treatment.

In a statement posted on social media after the incident, Sweeney described the strike as intentional and accused Israel of targeting journalists. He characterized the attack as a war crime under international humanitarian law, which prohibits deliberately targeting clearly identified members of the press.

Sweeney said he believed there was no doubt the strike was deliberate. He added that the incident would not deter him or his colleagues from continuing their reporting in conflict zones, despite the risks involved.

The airstrike took place hours after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued warnings that it would target bridges over the Litani River. The Israeli military said the strikes were aimed at preventing Hezbollah movements, which it claimed were taking place under civilian cover. The Litani River divides southern Lebanon, and several crossings in the area have been hit in recent days.

In response to the footage of the strike near Sweeney, the IDF said it had issued prior warnings to civilians to move away from targeted areas. The military stated that an explicit warning had been given regarding the location where Sweeney was filming and that the strike occurred after sufficient time had passed for civilians to evacuate.

The IDF has maintained that it does not deliberately target journalists. It reiterated this position following the incident, stating that its operations are directed at military objectives and that precautions are taken to minimize harm to civilians.

The situation in southern Lebanon has escalated significantly in recent weeks. According to the Norwegian Refugee Council, approximately 14 percent of Lebanese territory is currently subject to Israeli evacuation warnings. Lebanese officials report that more than one million people have been displaced since the conflict intensified on March 2.

The Russian embassy in Lebanon condemned the incident involving Sweeney and Rida, calling attacks on journalists unacceptable. The embassy urged that a thorough and appropriate investigation be conducted to determine the circumstances surrounding the strike.

Concerns about the safety of journalists in conflict zones have grown amid rising casualties among media workers globally. The Committee to Protect Journalists reported that 129 journalists and media workers were killed worldwide in 2025, marking a record high. The organization attributed roughly two-thirds of those deaths to Israeli military actions.

International humanitarian law provides protections for journalists operating in war zones, classifying them as civilians so long as they are not participating in hostilities. Deliberate attacks on journalists can constitute war crimes if proven.

The incident involving Sweeney highlights the ongoing dangers faced by reporters covering active conflicts, particularly in areas where military operations and civilian presence overlap.