PARIS, August 3, 2010 (WAFA)- Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemned the killing of Assaf Abu Rahal, a journalist working for the Lebanese daily Al-Akhbar, and wounding Al-Manar TV reporter Ali Chouayb when an Israeli tank opened fire at around midday today in the village of Aadaissé in southern Lebanon (about 30 km east of the coastal town of Tyre).

According to the information obtained by Reporters without Borders, the Israeli and the Lebanese armies exchanged shots after an Israeli unit crossed the border into Lebanon in order to tear down a tree and install a surveillance camera.

The two journalists, who were hit while trying to cover the Israeli incursion from a Lebanese army roadblock, were clearly identified as media personnel. Rahal was killed on the spot. Three Lebanese soldiers and two Israeli soldiers were also reportedly killed.

“We are shocked by Rahal’s death,” Reporters Without Borders said. “We condemn this Israeli military blunder and we offer our condolences to the families and friends of the victims and to the staff of Al-Akhbar.”

The press freedom organisation added: “Rahal is the first Lebanese journalist to be killed in clashes between Lebanon and Israeli since the 33-day war in the summer of 2006, during which one journalist was killed and three others were wounded.”