The Union of Journalists Denounces Israeli Targeting of Hadi Hoteit in Direct Strike

Available in: العربية

Journalist Hadi Hoteit was hit directly by an Israeli drone while covering the aftermath of the Israeli attacks in the town of Kafr Tebnit, southern Lebanon, today, Monday, June 15, resulting in injuries for which he was transferred to the hospital.

In a video from Al-Najda Al-Sha’biya Hospital in Nabatiyeh, Hoteit stated that he was subjected to a strike by an Israeli quadcopter that dropped a “shrapnel bomb” on him while he was recording a video report in Kafr Tebnit.

He was wearing a journalist’s vest and helmet and his car bore the press sign.

Hoteit confirmed in the video that the attack was deliberate, as the Israeli drone dropped the bomb directly on him.

The Union of Journalists in Lebanon strongly condemns this strike, which comes at a time of greatest need for journalistic documentation of the Israeli crimes in South Lebanon. The Union considers the strike a continuation of an ongoing Israeli policy of targeting journalists as witnesses to its crimes.

The Union wishes colleague Hadi Hoteit a speedy recovery and a quick return to his work documenting Israeli crimes and reporting facts from the ground.

The Union renews its demand for the Lebanese state:
1- to act to centrally document Israeli crimes.
2- open judicial investigations into the crimes.
3- enact a law punishing war crimes and request the formation of a fact-finding committee from the Human Rights Council.
4- recognize the Jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC) Over Events Since October 8, 2023.