March 20, 2026 — SUNTV Global Channel
A British journalist has narrowly escaped death after surviving a missile strike during a live report in southern Lebanon, in what he described as a deliberate attempt on his life.
Steve Sweeney, the Lebanon Bureau Chief for RT, was reporting near the Al-Qasmiya Bridge when a projectile struck just metres behind him, sending thick smoke into the air and forcing him to dive for safety.
Dramatic footage from the scene captured the moment of impact, as Sweeney and his cameraman, Ali Rida, sustained shrapnel injuries before being rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Speaking after receiving medical care, Sweeney alleged that the strike was intentional and accused the Israel Defense Forces of targeting journalists.
“Today Israel tried to kill me in a targeted airstrike… I have absolutely no doubt that this was deliberate,” he said.
He insisted that his crew was clearly identified as members of the press and had obtained permission from the Lebanese Army to operate in the area, dismissing any suggestion that the strike was accidental.
Sweeney further claimed that no prior warning was issued before the attack, despite Israeli assertions that the targeted location was being used as a crossing point by Hezbollah fighters.
The incident has drawn international attention, with Russia condemning the strike. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova described the attack as unlikely to be accidental, citing the growing number of journalists killed since the escalation of conflict in the region.
The Israeli military, however, maintained that the strike targeted a strategic site linked to militant activity and said warnings had been issued via official channels.
Despite the near-fatal encounter, Sweeney vowed to continue reporting from the frontlines, stating that intimidation would not deter journalists from covering the realities of the conflict.
The incident underscores the increasing dangers faced by media personnel in conflict zones, particularly amid the ongoing tensions between Israel and armed groups operating in Lebanon.
SUNTV Global Channel will continue to monitor developments surrounding the incident.
