BEIRUT, Lebanon — Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the Israeli strike that killed a journalist for Hizbollah's Al Manar TV and another for the pro-Hezbollah Al Mayadeen channel in southern Lebanon on Saturday.

 

"Once again, the Israeli aggression violates the most basic rules of international law, international humanitarian law and the laws of war, by targeting journalists, who are ultimately civilians performing a professional duty," Aoun said in a statement released by the presidency.

 

"This is a blatant crime that violates all the norms and treaties under which journalists enjoy international protection in wars."

 

Lebanese Health Minister Rakan Nassereddine said Saturday that 46 rescuers and five medical staff had been killed by Israel since the start of the war with Hizbollah on March 2.

 

Nassereddine said in a press conference that "the number of martyrs in the health sector... is 51 martyrs... including 46 paramedics and 5 health workers, including nine new paramedic martyrs today".

 

The minister said the nine medics killed in south Lebanon on Saturday included four from Hezbollah's Islamic Health Committee who were targeted by Israeli strikes while carrying out rescue missions, and five from the Hizbollah-allied Amal movement's Risala Scouts, who were also on duty.