Media group rebukes Israeli military over image of slain Lebanese journalist

Jerusalem — An international media association on Wednesday accused the Israeli military of attempting to discredit a Lebanese journalist killed in a March air strike by circulating an altered image depicting him in militant attire.

The criticism followed the death of Ali Shoeib, a correspondent for the Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Manar television channel, who was among three journalists killed in an Israeli strike in Lebanon on March 28.The Israeli military had posted an image on social media platform X showing Shoeib wearing a press vest, partially overlaid with an edited version portraying him in a Hezbollah uniform, accompanied by the caption suggesting the vest was used as cover.

A subsequent post by military spokesman Nadav Shoshani included what he described as an unedited image of Shoeib in fatigues near a tank, while acknowledging that the earlier image had been altered.

The Foreign Press Association, which represents international media in Israel and the Palestinian territories, said the military had circulated a “fake” image in an effort to undermine the journalist’s credibility.

Shoeib had reported on political and military developments in Lebanon for decades. The association also noted that more than 200 Palestinian journalists have been killed since October 2023 in Israeli strikes.

The Israeli military has not issued further comment beyond the statements posted on social media.