The Israeli Defence Forces have acknowledged using an AI-generated, digitally altered photograph to depict Ali Shoeib, a Lebanese journalist killed in an Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon in March, wearing a Hezbollah uniform over his press vest. The Foreign Press Association condemned the move, stating that the use of artificial intelligence "raises questions about the credibility" of other visual materials distributed by the IDF, which provided no verified evidence that Shoeib had a combat role with the militant group. Under international law, journalists are afforded the same protections as civilians provided they do not engage in hostilities, and Shoeib's killing and the subsequent attempt to discredit him have intensified scrutiny of Israel's targeting practices toward members of the press.