Jezzine: Khaled El-Enany, Director-General of UNESCO, has condemned the killing of journalists Ali Shaib, Fatima Ftouni, and Mohammad Ftouni in Jezzine, Southern Lebanon, on 28 March 2026. El-Enany called for an independent and thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding their deaths.

According to National News Agency - Lebanon, El-Enany reiterated his call for adherence to UN Security Council Resolution 2222, which was unanimously adopted in 2015 to protect journalists, media professionals, and associated personnel as civilians in conflict situations. He emphasized the importance of this status, reaffirmed in the Pact for the Future.

El-Enany stated, "Ali Shaib worked as a journalist for Al-Manar TV, while Fatima Ftouni was with Al-Mayadeen TV. Mohammad Ftouni, Fatima's brother, was a freelance photojournalist." The three were reportedly killed while on assignment when their car was struck along the Jezzine Highway in Southern Lebanon.

UNESCO is committed to promoting the safety of journalists through global awareness, capacity building, and coordinating the implementation of the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity.