Lebanese Journalist Wounded in Israeli Drone Strike While Reporting

Photo credit: @PressTV/X

A Lebanese journalist, while reporting from the ground, was attacked by Israeli drones, leaving him wounded. Hadi Hoteit, working for Press TV, said in a post on X that he was struck while filming in an open area, despite clearly displaying press identification. He was wounded by six shrapnels when a drone landed near him while he reported on Israeli attacks in the southern Lebanese town of Kfar Tebnit.

“Israeli drones targeted me while I was clearly filming a report in an open space with all requirements (press signs on the car, vest and helmet with press signs, cellphones open and not doing anything else,” he wrote.

He added that he had moved to the area after being told the Lebanese army was blocking a road. “I stopped at Arnoun-Yohmor-Kfartebnit roundabout because i didn’t want to go further,” he said.

Hoteit said he got out of his car with his equipment and was filming when the strike occurred. “I got outside my car, with my cameras in the cage and my microphone with PressTV logo. I was filming when the Israeli drones deliberately attacked where I was standing,” he said, claiming that he was rescued by 'two brave men' after about 15 to 20 minutes.

“I was trying to get away from my car as I was expecting they might retarget it. 6 shrapnels hit my body (1 right chest, 3 right leg, 2 left leg). I am better now,” he wrote, adding that he was receiving treatment in hospital.

Press TV also shared footage on X showing the moment the journalist was struck, saying: “Moment Press TV journalist @HadiHtt was attacked by an Israeli drone strike in southern Lebanon.” In the video, Hadi can be seen wearing a press vest and holding a microphone with a hand-held camera, was filming on location when the incident occurred.

Also read: Iran insists Lebanon key to ending war as Israel, Hezbollah trade fire: Is US peace deal already under strain?

The incident came amid US-Iran peace deal, announced on Monday, although Israeli officials have signalled opposition to withdrawal timelines linked to diplomatic efforts.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz was quoted in Israeli media as saying that the military will maintain its positions in regional security zones. “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and I are leading a clear policy that determines that the IDF will remain in the security zones in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza, without any time limit, to protect, from there, the border and Israeli communities against jihadist elements,” Katz says in a statement.