Three Lebanese journalists killed in Israeli strike

In a tragic incident, three Lebanese journalists were killed in an Israeli airstrike targeting a building in Hasbaya, southeastern Lebanon. According to witnesses, the building was known to house journalists, and vehicles around the compound were clearly marked with “press.” The strike targeted a guesthouse used by over a dozen journalists from various media outlets. The victims, Ghassan Najjar and Mohamed Reda of Al Mayadeen TV, and Wissam Qassem from Al-Manar TV, were remembered in tributes by their respective organizations. The Lebanese Information Minister, Ziad Makary, condemned the strike as a deliberate act, accusing Israel of committing a “war crime.”

The airstrike came amidst Israel’s broader military campaign against Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group. Israeli officials claimed that the strike was intended for a Hezbollah military site in Hasbaya and stated that the incident is under review. They noted that the proximity of journalists to such targets posed inherent risks. This airstrike has further intensified tensions in the region, as Israel has increased its airstrikes and ground operations in southern Lebanon in response to ongoing hostilities with Hezbollah.

The journalists, along with others staying at the guesthouse, were caught off guard by the strike around 3:00 AM local time. The scene, captured by Al-Jadeed TV, showed a building reduced to rubble, with a collapsed roof and overturned vehicles. One journalist from Al-Jadeed described how the house, known to be used by media personnel, was destroyed without any prior warning, emphasizing that it had been clearly communicated to Israeli and other official parties that the location was a media residence.

The area of Hasbaya, located near the Israeli border, had seen skirmishes on its outskirts in the preceding weeks, but this strike marked the first direct attack on the settlement itself. It follows a broader pattern of escalating conflict in Lebanon since October, which began after a deadly Hamas assault on Israel. Hezbollah has since launched rockets and drones into Israel, framing these actions as support for Palestinians in Gaza. This escalation has had a devastating impact, with Lebanon’s health ministry reporting nearly 2,600 fatalities since Israel ramped up its operations on September 23.

The attack on the journalists is part of a broader trend of media personnel facing extreme dangers in the conflict zones of Lebanon and Gaza. Prior to this incident, five reporters had already died in Israeli strikes within Lebanon, including Reuters journalist Issam Abdallah. In Gaza, over 123 Palestinian journalists and media workers have lost their lives since Israel’s military campaign began in response to Hamas. The risks for media personnel have become increasingly dire, as they attempt to report on the unfolding humanitarian crisis amidst continuous bombardment and ground conflicts.

Satellite imagery has revealed the scale of the devastation in Lebanon, showing that Israeli airstrikes have caused extensive damage to over 3,600 buildings in the country between October 2 and October 14, far exceeding the damage from an entire year of prior cross-border clashes. As Israeli forces intensify their operations, entire neighborhoods in southern Lebanon are being devastated, forcing thousands of civilians to flee their homes.

In the midst of the violence, UN peacekeepers, known as UNIFIL, have also found themselves under threat. They were forced to abandon an observation post in Zahajra after being targeted by Israeli forces, a claim Israel has disputed, attributing the incidents to clashes with Hezbollah. Despite these denials, the attacks have raised further concerns about the safety of both international observers and journalists attempting to document the conflict.

The incident in Hasbaya highlights the dangers faced by reporters in war zones, particularly as Israel has ramped up operations against Hezbollah targets. The situation remains volatile, with heightened risks for those reporting on the unfolding events, and the targeting of media locations has drawn international scrutiny. As Israel continues its campaign and Hezbollah retaliates, the humanitarian toll on civilians, journalists, and peacekeepers continues to grow, marking one of the most intense periods of conflict in Lebanon’s recent history.

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