World

Lebanese TV Reporter Injured as Israeli Strike Hits Near Live Broadcast

By Karan Manral

A Lebanese television journalist was wounded when an Israeli air strike landed close to him while he was reporting live, intensifying fears of a resurgence in hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah despite a ceasefire reached in June.

The episode took place on September 6 in Nabatieh al-Fawqa, a town in southern Lebanon, where Al-Manar TV correspondent Ali Chbib was getting ready to deliver a live report. Video released by Al-Manar shows an explosion erupting behind him just as he was about to go on air. Chbib is seen taking cover as flames and debris shoot upward, before the broadcast signal was lost.

Al-Manar reported that both Chbib and cameraman Mohammad Berjawi sustained injuries in the blast.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement posted to Telegram that it had conducted strikes in the Nabatieh region, killing multiple Hezbollah fighters in response to drone launches by the group on Sunday. The military confirmed it was aware of reports that a journalist had been hurt “in the vicinity of the terrorist infrastructure” during the operation.

The IDF maintained that it does not deliberately target civilians or members of the press. “The IDF does not target uninvolved individuals or journalists under any circumstances. The IDF makes every effort to minimise harm to uninvolved individuals while maintaining the safety of its forces,” the statement read.

According to the military, the strikes targeted Hezbollah weapons depots and a command post located inside a building formerly used as a hospital. The IDF said it relied on precision-guided munitions and aerial surveillance to limit civilian casualties.

The broader wave of strikes in the area reportedly killed 11 people in total, including nine who died in separate attacks nearby.

The latest violence has heightened concern in Lebanon over the durability of the June ceasefire, which was intended to bring an end to hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah but has been undermined by continued Israeli military activity in recent days.