Lebanese journalist missing after Israeli strike on southern town
Reporters Without Borders, or RSF, called on the international community on Wednesday to immediately pressure the Israeli army into allowing the rescue of journalist Amal Khalil, who works for the daily Al-Akhbar.
RSF added that Khalil is currently trapped near the southern Lebanese village of al-Tiri following an Israeli airstrike close to her vehicle.
“Her life is in danger right now! Continued Israeli airstrikes are preventing rescuers from reaching her,” RSF said.
President Joseph Aoun called on the Lebanese Red Cross to work on the rescue of Khalil.
Aoun requested the Lebanese Red Cross to coordinate with the Lebanese army and U.N. peacekeepers “to carry out the rescue operation in the shortest possible time.”
The Red Cross had earlier evacuated another journalist Zeinab Faraj, who was injured in the same strike, along with the bodies of two people who were in car that was targeted.
"Israel fired a stun grenade at the Red Cross team, forcing it to withdraw from al-Tiri. The team is expected to return later to continue the search for the journalist Amal Khalil," LBCI television said.
A military source meanwhile told LBCI that "the Lebanese Army will accompany the Red Cross to the village of al-Tiri in a new attempt to reach journalist Amal Khalil, who is trapped under the rubble."
The Israeli military later confirmed that it struck a vehicle and a structure in the area after identifying what it described as militants posing an immediate threat near the border.
The Israeli army said it was aware of reports that journalists were injured but did not confirm them and denied preventing rescue teams from reaching the area.
The details of the incident are under review, it added.
Source: Associated Press, Naharnet
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