Israeli airstrike injures Russia Today crew
JournalismPakistan.com | Published: 19 March 2026 | JP Global Monitoring
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Two Russia Today journalists were wounded by an Israeli airstrike near Tyre while wearing marked press gear and were treated for shrapnel wounds. The Committee to Protect Journalists urged an independent investigation amid differing IDF accounts.Summary
AMMAN — Two journalists were injured in southern Lebanon after an Israeli airstrike landed near their filming location, prompting renewed concerns about the safety of media workers covering escalating hostilities in the region.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) on March 19 called for an investigation into the incident involving British correspondent Steve Sweeney of Russia Today and his camera operator, Ali Rida Sbeity, who were reporting near the Qasmiyeh bridge north of Tyre when the strike hit just feet away.
CPJ demands a probe into possible targeting
Both journalists, who were wearing clearly marked press gear, were taken to a nearby hospital and treated for shrapnel wounds. Sbeity later said during a live broadcast that he believed the strike may have deliberately targeted them, noting their visibility and the clearly marked press vehicle at the scene.
CPJ’s Middle East and North Africa Regional Director Sara Qudah said the incident raises serious legal concerns. She emphasized that journalists are civilians and must not be targeted, calling any such attack a violation of international law and urging accountability.
Conflicting narratives emerge
The Israeli military acknowledged carrying out a strike in the area and said it had issued prior warnings for civilians to leave. In a statement posted on X, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it does not target journalists and operates in accordance with international law.
The incident comes amid heightened tensions following renewed Israeli military operations linked to the broader regional escalation involving Iran. It also follows a separate strike a day earlier in Beirut that killed Al-Manar TV journalist Mohamed Sherri, along with his wife, and injured his son, further intensifying scrutiny over journalist safety in conflict zones.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova questioned the circumstances of the strike, citing the high number of journalists killed in Gaza and suggesting the latest incident was unlikely to be accidental.
Rising toll underscores risks for media
Press freedom organizations have repeatedly warned that journalists operating in active conflict zones face increasing risks, particularly in areas where frontlines are fluid and identification as press does not always guarantee protection.
The CPJ has documented numerous cases of journalists being killed or injured in the region since the escalation of hostilities, urging all parties to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians, including media workers.
WHY THIS MATTERS: The incident highlights the growing risks for journalists covering conflict, especially in volatile regions where frontlines are unclear. For Pakistani media professionals, it underscores the importance of safety protocols, conflict reporting training, and advocacy for stronger international protections for journalists in war zones.
ATTRIBUTION: Information cited from a publicly available statement issued by the Committee to Protect Journalists (March 19, 2026) and publicly available reporting by Reuters (March 19, 2026).
PHOTO: RT correspondent Steve Sweeney ducks to the ground as an Israeli strike hits feet away. (Screenshot: TheSpeechLB/YouTube/Circulated by CPJ)
Key Points
- Two Russia Today journalists were injured by an airstrike near the Qasmiyeh bridge north of Tyre.
- Both were wearing clearly marked press gear and received treatment for shrapnel wounds at a local hospital.
- The Committee to Protect Journalists has called for an independent investigation into possible targeting.
- The Israel Defense Forces said it struck the area after issuing warnings and denied targeting journalists.
- The incident raises concerns about the safety of media workers amid escalating regional hostilities.
Key Questions & Answers
Who was injured in the strike?
Two Russia Today journalists were wounded: correspondent Steve Sweeney and camera operator Ali Rida Sbeity; both were treated for shrapnel wounds.
Has an investigation been launched?
The Committee to Protect Journalists has called for an independent probe; no public independent investigation has been reported so far.
What does the IDF say about the incident?
The Israel Defense Forces acknowledged striking the area, said civilians were warned to leave, and denied that it targets journalists.
Why is this incident significant?
It underscores risks to journalists covering the conflict and raises potential legal concerns under international law; rights groups are seeking accountability.
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