Journalist From the Frontlines Responds to Israel’s Attempt to Assassinate Him on Camera

Key Takeaways

• •

  Guest: Steve Sweeney, award-winning war correspondent and Beirut-based journalist.

  “Steve Sweeney was in southern Lebanon attempting with a cameraman to document what the Israeli military is doing to the southern part of that country, which is leveling it.”

• •

  The targeted assassination of journalists: Sweeney describes a precision strike by an Israeli F-16 on a bridge he was filming, arguing the lack of military objective suggests a deliberate attempt to eliminate witnesses.

  “There was no military objective in striking the bridge again... it was already destroyed. This was a very heavy munition... fired from an F-16 fighter jet.”

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  Systemic targeting of medical infrastructure: Paramedics in Lebanon are reportedly removing Red Cross and medical logos from their vehicles because they have become targets rather than protections.

  “The logo on the top of the ambulances which is supposed to give them protection... instead of giving them protection it now places them at risk.”

• •

  The destruction of Christian heritage: Sweeney reports the intentional bombing of St. Peter’s burial site and the Church of St. George, accompanied by attempts to 'reinvent history' through archaeological revisionism.

  “This wasn't an accidental bombing... This was a deliberately targeted attack on the tomb of St. Peter. It's not the only church or religious building that has been attacked.”

• •

  A narrative reversal on Hezbollah: Contrary to Western perceptions, Sweeney claims Hezbollah has historically acted as a protector of Christian sites and communities within Lebanon.

  “Hezbollah was in fact protecting the Christian churches... standing around, you know, protecting the Christian faith... but Israel is [destroying them].”

• •

  The 'leveling' of Southern Lebanon: The conflict is characterized as a massive land grab involving the systematic destruction of civilian infrastructure, ancient olive groves, and the wholesale displacement of residents.

  “They’ve started the bombing... cutting off a whole swathe of the country. Here’s what American tax dollars are paying for.”

Episode Description

Steve Sweeney was reporting on the Israeli government’s murder of civilians in Lebanon when the IDF tried to assassinate him on camera. Here’s what American tax dollars are paying for. (00:00) Sweeney’s Close Encounter With an Israeli Missile Strike (11:37) Israel’s Bombing of St. Peter’s Burial Site (22:21) The British Government Taking Israel’s Side Over Its Own Citizens (31:06) Why Is Israel Bulldozing Olive Trees? (45:54) Is There More Freedom in Russia Than in Britain? Steve Sweeney is an award-winning Beirut based journalist and has been reporting from the frontline of Israel’s war on Lebanon for the past few years. He spent around two years covering the Ukraine conflict from the Russian side and gave testimony at the United Nations Security Council. In March 2026 he narrowly escaped death after an Israeli airstrike on a bridge he was reporting from in southern Lebanon. Paid partnerships with: Cozy Earth: Celebrate Mom with the ultimate gift of comfort by using code TUCKERBOGO at https://cozyearth.com Paleovalley: Use code TUCKER & get 20% off your first order at https://paleovalley.com VanMan: Use code TUCKER for 15% off your first order at http://vanman.shop/tucker Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices