Israel assassinates Lebanese journalists Ali Shuaib, Fatima Ftouni

Journalists Ali Shuaib (Al-Manar) and Fatima Ftouni (Al-Mayadeen), along with Fatima’s brother, camera operator Mohamad Ftouni, join a long list of Lebanese journalists killed by Israel. An Israeli warplane fired five missiles at their car, travelling in the countryside next to the city of Jezzine, around 30 Km north of the border with occupied Palestine. The last two missiles were fired at 2 civilians, one of them from the Lebanese Civil Defence, who were trying to save the targeted journalists.

The three journalists join a long list of (now) 28 Lebanese journalists assassinated by Israel commencing on October 13, 2023 when an Israeli Merkava tank fired on a clearly marked group of journalists in Alma Al-Shaab killing Reuters videographer and close friend Issam Abdalla.

These 28 journalists lie side by side with over 234 of their fellow Palestinian journalists also killed by Israel since October of 2023, most of them in Gaza. And lest we forget Shireen Abu Akleh, and others.

If those war crimes tell us anything, it is that:

1. Israel intentionally targets journalists everywhere they can
2. Journalism is as important as taking up arms on the path of resisting colonialism

Israel assassinates Fatima Ftouni

Fatima Ftouni, Al-Mayadeen’s correspondent to south Lebanon, recently reported on her own family members being killed by Israel around 25 days ago.

She says:

This is the status of the building that contains 4 residential apartments full off people, and in fact they are members of my family.

Fatima never fled, never shied away from a confrontation. In war zones but also by speaking truth to power:

Fatima interrupts allegedly US-Backed Prime Minister Nawaf Salam who was trying to talk about how good the Lebanese government has been during this war:

Fatima: My family are still living in the south, they’re in danger

Salam: You look fine, I see your quite healthy

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Fatima: My family isn’t fine

Salam: Well we have a doctor with us if you need

Nawaf Salam, ever so sarcastic. Ever so unfunny. He tarnishes comedy every time he jokes.

Fatima Ftouni, your courage and determination will never be forgotten.

Rest in power!

Ali Shuaib — An absolute legend

I remember 20 years ago, I was a 16 year old kid living in Lebanon during the 2006 war. I used to wait for Ali Shuaib’s messages from the battlefield on the radio. He used to do a quick news story every time there’s a clash somewhere in the south. Sometimes his voice would be obscured by the sounds of clashes near by.

All the TV stations and correspondents were covering the war from a distance. Ali Shuaib didn’t believe in long distance relationships.

Then from 2006 up until 2024, there was no war officially but Shuaib still clashed with Israeli soldiers:

There was an alleged assassination attempt on Ali Shuaib during the 66 day war last year, but he survived. This time unfortunately, he didn’t.

Rest in power you absolute legend!

Featured image via author