Key takeaways

• Ambulance logos, intended for protection, are now increasing risks for medical workers in conflict zones.
• Targeting medical facilities and personnel is considered a war crime under international law.
• The Israeli military intentionally bombed a site believed to be the burial place of Saint Peter.
• The bombing of religious sites aims to reshape historical narratives in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
• Deliberate attacks on religious sites were a strategy in the ongoing conflict.
• Hezbollah has not targeted Christian holy sites or ambulances, challenging common narratives.
• An Israeli missile strike that nearly killed journalists was a deliberate assassination attempt.
• Israel’s advanced military technology allows it to track press vehicles, raising concerns about targeted attacks.
• The US and Britain have historically supported Israel due to their imperialist interests in the region.
• Israel’s military actions are perceived as attempts to silence on-the-ground reporting.
• The conflict in Lebanon involves complex geopolitical motivations and historical narratives.
• The use of military technology in conflict zones raises ethical and legal questions.
• The impact of international policies on civilian lives is a critical issue in conflict reporting.

Guest intro

Steve Sweeney is an award-winning Beirut-based journalist reporting from the frontlines of Israel’s war on Lebanon for Russia Today (RT). 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 targeted him on camera while reporting from a bridge in southern Lebanon.

The risk of logos on ambulances

• The logo on the top of the ambulances which is supposed to give them protection under international law under the Geneva Conventions… instead of giving them protection it now places them at risk

  — Steve Sweeney

• Medical workers are removing logos from their vehicles due to increased targeting risks.
• The Geneva Conventions are failing to protect medical personnel in modern conflict zones.

• Targeting these deliberately is a war crime

  — Steve Sweeney

• The targeting of medical facilities is part of a broader pattern of war crimes observed.
• International law provides protection, but enforcement is lacking in conflict areas.
• The removal of logos highlights the failure of international protections in practice.
• The risk to medical workers underscores the need for stronger enforcement of international law.

Deliberate targeting of religious sites

• This was a deliberately targeted attack on the tomb of Saint Peter

  — Steve Sweeney

• The attacks on religious sites were not accidental but intentional.
• The targeting of religious sites aims to alter historical narratives in the conflict.

• The purpose of that really was to reinvent history

  — Steve Sweeney

• The Israeli military’s actions reflect broader geopolitical strategies.
• Religious sites hold significant cultural and historical importance in the region.
• The deliberate targeting of these sites exacerbates sectarian tensions.
• The conflict’s impact on religious communities is profound and lasting.

Hezbollah’s role in the conflict

• Has Hezbollah blown up Christian holy sites? Has Hezbollah targeted ambulances? No, they haven’t

  — Steve Sweeney

• Hezbollah’s actions challenge common narratives about their role in the conflict.
• The group’s restraint in targeting religious sites contrasts with other actors.
• Hezbollah’s role in the region is complex and often misunderstood.
• The dynamics of the conflict involve multiple actors with varying agendas.
• Understanding Hezbollah’s actions is critical for a nuanced view of the conflict.
• Sectarian dynamics play a significant role in shaping the conflict’s trajectory.
• The conflict involves a complex interplay of local and international actors.

The assassination attempt on journalists

• We believe it was targeting us… this was an assassination attempt by Israel

  — Steve Sweeney

• The missile strike was perceived as a deliberate attempt to silence journalists.
• Israel’s advanced military technology raises concerns about targeted attacks.

• Israel has the most advanced military technology anywhere in the world

  — Steve Sweeney

• The use of military technology in targeting journalists poses ethical questions.
• The incident highlights the dangers faced by journalists in conflict zones.
• The targeting of press vehicles undermines media freedom and transparency.
• The role of technology in modern warfare is a critical issue for international law.

The geopolitical motivations of Israel’s actions

• We say that we were deliberately targeted by the Israelis without a doubt

  — Steve Sweeney

• Israel’s military actions are perceived as part of broader geopolitical strategies.
• The conflict involves complex historical and geopolitical narratives.
• The motivations behind military actions are often rooted in historical claims.
• The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is shaped by competing historical narratives.
• Understanding the motivations behind military actions is critical for conflict analysis.
• The geopolitical context of the conflict influences international responses.
• The conflict’s impact extends beyond the immediate region, affecting global politics.

The historical support of the US and Britain for Israel

• There’s a long history of the two biggest supporters of Israel being the United States and Britain

  — Steve Sweeney

• The US and Britain’s support for Israel is rooted in historical and geopolitical interests.
• The support of Western powers influences the dynamics of the Middle East conflict.
• The historical context of US and British foreign policy is critical for understanding the conflict.
• The geopolitical motivations of Western powers shape their support for Israel.
• The role of imperialist interests in the region is a critical factor in the conflict.
• The historical support of Western powers affects the balance of power in the Middle East.
• Understanding the historical context of the conflict is essential for informed analysis.