A missile landed just 10 feet from Russian state broadcaster RT’s Lebanon bureau chief Steve Sweeney and his cameraman during a live broadcast in southern Lebanon early Sunday, forcing the crew to scramble for cover as debris rained down.
The incident occurred as Israeli airstrikes escalated across southern Lebanon, part of a sustained campaign targeting Hezbollah positions following cross-border attacks. Sweeney and his cameraman, who were broadcasting from the town of Yaroun, described the moment as "terrifying" before rushing to safety.
- 📍 Yaroun, southern Lebanon
- 🕒 Early Sunday morning
- 🎥 Footage aired by RT shows missile impact
RT confirmed both journalists were treated for minor injuries and released from hospital within hours, though Sweeney later posted on social media that he was "shaken but alive."
Key Points
- ⚡ Missile struck 10 feet from live broadcast crew
- 🏥 Both journalists treated for minor injuries, released same day
- 🔥 Incident occurred amid escalating Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon
Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported at least 10 deaths and 27 injuries from overnight strikes in Beirut and southern regions, with emergency services still assessing damage. Israeli military sources stated the operations began hours after issuing evacuation warnings to residents in southern Lebanon.
📋 By The Numbers
- 10 — Deaths reported in Beirut and southern Lebanon from overnight strikes
- 27 — Injuries reported, including civilians and first responders
- 28 February — Date joint US-Israel operations began against Iranian-backed targets
Witnesses in Yaroun described the missile strike as part of a broader pattern of intense bombardment, with power outages and communication blackouts reported across multiple villages. The Israeli military stated it had targeted "Hezbollah military infrastructure" in response to recent attacks, though no immediate claim of responsibility was made for Sunday’s strike near the RT crew.
| Location | Casualties | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Beirut | 10 dead, 27 injured | Emergency services ongoing |
| Yaroun, southern Lebanon | No immediate reports | RT crew survived, minor injuries |
| Beit Shemesh, Israel | 9 dead, 27 injured | Israeli emergency services responding |
The BBC later verified footage from the Yaroun strike, cross-referencing geolocation with satellite imagery and eyewitness accounts. Analysts note the proximity of the impact to the RT crew suggests either a targeting error or an attempt to intimidate media operating in the conflict zone.
💡 Pro Tip
Journalists in conflict zones should maintain at least 50 meters of distance from potential strike zones during live broadcasts, even when operating under fire. Always have a pre-marked evacuation route and avoid clustering with other crews.
International observers have raised concerns over civilian safety, particularly as sandstorms and power outages complicate evacuation efforts. The US State Department reiterated its call for de-escalation, while Iran-backed groups in Lebanon have vowed further retaliation.
- Overnight escalation — Israeli airstrikes intensified after Hezbollah launched rockets into northern Israel.
- Civilian impact — At least 19 deaths and 54 injuries reported in Lebanon and Israel from weekend strikes.
- Media in crosshairs — RT’s near-miss highlights risks for journalists covering the conflict.
The strike near the RT crew occurred as regional tensions reached new highs, with Iran-backed militias exchanging fire with Israeli forces along the Lebanese border. Social media footage from Beirut showed residents fleeing as smoke rose over the city, while emergency alerts blared across Jerusalem during live broadcasts.
