A Lebanese journalist was injured when an Israeli drone struck him while reporting on the ground.Press TV staff member Hadi Hoteit said in a post on X that he was shot while filming in an open area despite clearly showing the journalist’s identity. As he was covering an Israeli attack on the southern Lebanese town of Kfatbnit, a drone landed near him and he was wounded by six shrapnel.“Israeli drones targeted me while I was apparently in an open space taking reports that met all the requirements (pressed sign on car, pressed sign on vest and helmet, phone on, not doing anything else),” he wrote.He added that he had moved to the area after learning that the Lebanese army had blocked the road. “I stopped at the Arnoun-Yohmor-Kfartebnit roundabout because I didn’t want to go further,” he said.Hotate said he got out of his car with his equipment and was filming when the strike occurred. “I got out of the car and the camera was in the cage with the PressTV logo on the microphone. I was filming and the Israeli drone deliberately attacked where I was standing,” he said, claiming that he was rescued by “two brave men” after about 15 to 20 minutes.“I tried to escape my car because I expected they might re-target it. 6 shrapnel hits in my body (1 right chest, 3 right legs, 2 left legs). I’m much better now,” he wrote, adding that he was being treated in hospital.Press TV also shared footage of the moment the reporter was hit onAlso read: As Israel battles Hezbollah, Iran insists Lebanon is key to ending war: Is US peace deal already under pressure?The incident comes as the U.S.-Iran peace deal was announced on Monday, although Israeli officials have expressed opposition to a troop withdrawal timetable tied to the diplomatic effort. Israeli media quoted Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz as saying that the military would maintain its positions in the regional security zone.“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and I are developing a clear policy that the IDF will remain in safe zones in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza without time limits to protect borders and Israeli communities from jihadists,” Katz said in a statement.
