Israeli newspaper helping to blow up building in Lebanon sparks outrage

An Israeli television journalist faced widespread backlash after he helped soldiers demolish a building in southern Lebanon, sparking criticism both at home and abroad.

Danny Kushmaro, a well-known journalist of the N12 television channel, was included in the operation with ground troops.

When a building that allegedly served as a launch site against Israel was about to be blown up, one of the soldiers handed the correspondent a detonator. He then pulled the trigger as per their instructions.

Then, in the distance, smoke could be seen rising from the site of the explosion.

“A house with an ammunition depot was blown up in front of Israel – one less threat to the state of Israel,” said the journalist in front of a television camera.

Social media users and the journalist’s colleagues in Israel criticized the behavior, calling it “a disgrace to the profession of journalism.”

Another wrote: “His job is to report, not explode. If you want to fight, you should put on a uniform.”

New York-based Israeli journalist and author Etan Nechin wrote: “Unbelievable: @N12News host Danny Kushmaro joined IDF forces in southern Lebanon and bombed a building.”

“This is happening at a time when the IDF is targeting Palestinian journalists on sensitive charges and killing Lebanese journalists in their sleep. Disgusting,” X wrote on social media.

Unbelievable: Host @N12News Danny Kushmaro joined IDF forces in southern Lebanon and bombed a building.

This comes at a time when the IDF is targeting Palestinian journalists on sensitive charges and killing Lebanese journalists in their sleep. Disgusting

pic.twitter.com/8uLEB91MBT

— Etan Nechin (@Etanetan23) October 26, 2024

The TV correspondent was also accused of endangering other colleagues by questioning their independence.

Neither the military nor television initially commented on the incident.

Since last month, Israel has carried out a massive air campaign in Lebanon against what it considers Hezbollah targets, an escalation after a year of cross-border war between Israel and the group since the beginning Israel’s genocidal war with the Gaza Strip.

According to Lebanese health authorities, more than 2,670 people have been killed and nearly 12,500 injured in Israeli attacks since last October.

Israel expanded the conflict on October 1 this year with a ground attack on southern Lebanon.