Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has said that Israel's targeting of journalists constitutes "war crimes," condemning what he described as a systematic pattern of attacks in southern Lebanon.
Salam said on Wednesday that targeting journalists, obstructing rescue teams from reaching them and striking the same locations again after their arrival constitute "clear war crimes."
He added that attacks on journalists in southern Lebanon while they are carrying out their professional duties are no longer isolated incidents but have become a "documented pattern" that violates international laws and norms.
"Lebanon will spare no effort in pursuing these crimes before the relevant international bodies," he said.
His comments came after Israel killed prominent Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil on Wednesday in an Israeli strike while on duty, the Red Cross said.
Lebanon's state-run National News Agency said Israeli forces besieged Khalil and fellow journalist Zeinab Faraj and prevented the Red Cross and the Lebanese army from reaching them.
Faraj was rescued with wounds and transferred to a hospital, and is reportedly in stable condition after undergoing head surgery. She also reportedly suffered a fractured leg.
Israel has killed over 2,200 people and displaced more than 1 million in its aggression against Lebanon since March 2.
Violations have continued despite a 10-day US-mediated ceasefire agreed on April 16.
