British journalist Steve Sweeney, a correspondent for Russia Today, has publicly accused Israel of attempting to assassinate him in what he describes as a deliberate targeted airstrike in southern Lebanon. The incident, which occurred near a local military base, resulted in Sweeney and his cameraman, Ali Rida, sustaining minor injuries from the blast.
Footage Captures Explosive Moment
Dramatic footage captured by Rida shows Sweeney delivering a piece to camera before a missile strikes the ground just metres behind him. The explosion rocks the area, knocking both men to the floor. Sweeney later revealed that a piece of shrapnel became deeply embedded in his arm, requiring hospital removal.
Allegations of War Crimes
In social media posts hours after the strike, Sweeney asserted that Israel committed war crimes by targeting journalists. He stated, 'This was a deliberate targeted attack against journalists, no doubt about it.' He added defiantly, 'But if they think they are going to silence us, if they think we are going to stay out of the field, they are very very much mistaken.'
Israeli Military Response
The strike happened hours after the Israel Defence Forces warned of planned strikes on bridges over the Litani River to counter Hezbollah movements under civilian cover. Responding to the footage, the IDF said it had issued warnings to ensure civilians distanced themselves from crossings to reduce harm. They claimed an explicit warning was given in Sweeney's area and that the crossing was struck after sufficient time had passed since the warnings.
Broader Context and Reactions
Israel has struck multiple bridges over the Litani River this week, with around 14 percent of Lebanese territory under Israeli evacuation warnings, according to the Norwegian Refugee Council. Lebanese authorities report over one million people displaced since the war began on March 2.
The Russian embassy in Lebanon condemned the incident, stating that attacks on media workers on editorial assignments are unacceptable and calling for an appropriate investigation. This comes amid a grim backdrop: the Committee to Protect Journalists reported a record 129 journalists and media workers killed worldwide in 2025, blaming Israel for two-thirds of those deaths.
International Law and Denials
Targeting clearly identified members of the press is considered a war crime under international humanitarian law. However, the Israeli military regularly asserts that it has never and will never deliberately target journalists, maintaining its actions are focused on military objectives.
