Human Rights Watch has accused the Israeli military of committing war crimes following attacks in Lebanon on April 22, 2026 that killed journalist Amal Khalil and seriously injured another journalist, Zainab Faraj. The attacks in the southern town of al-Tiri occurred as Khalil was reporting on hostilities for the Lebanese news outlet al-Akhbar. According to Ramzi Kaiss, a Lebanon researcher at Human Rights Watch, the evidence suggests the Israeli military knowingly or should have known that Khalil and Faraj were civilians.

Attack Details and Aftermath

The first of three strikes occurred at about 2:30 p.m., targeting a car ahead of Khalil and Faraj’s, killing two individuals they knew, Ali Bazzi and Mohammed al-Hourani. Photo and video evidence, witness statements, and a deconfliction request by the Lebanese Red Cross indicate the Israeli military was aware of the journalists’ presence. The Lebanese government is being urged to accept the International Criminal Court’s jurisdiction, and other countries are encouraged to press for accountability and prevent further crimes, according to a report from Informed Comment.

Media Coverage and Public Response

Journalist Rania Khalek described the situation on the ground in Lebanon as “horrific,” noting the U.S. media’s tendency to give more deference to Israeli narratives than to the experiences of those living under Israeli bombing. Khalek recalled the terror of April 8, a day when 160 bombs fell in 10 minutes, as one of the most terrifying days of her life. She emphasized the emotional toll of living in constant fear and the lack of space given to the voices of Lebanese civilians in Western media.

Destruction of Mhaibib Village

Satellite images show that the Lebanese village of Mhaibib, as well as two neighboring villages, were completely destroyed by a series of detonations, according to the Neue Zürcher Zeitung (NZZ). A video circulating online in October showed a massive explosion destroying the village, with people in the foreground—likely Israeli soldiers,cheering the destruction; the Israeli army released an aerial video on October 16 showing the blasts but did not specify the location. Research by the New York Times suggests the destroyed village is likely Mhaibib, located near the provisional border with Israel, the Israeli military claimed the explosions targeted a network of tunnels, though this cannot be independently verified.