Three journalists tragically lost their lives in an Israeli airstrike that targeted a building known to be housing reporters in Hasbaya, a town in south-eastern Lebanon. Eyewitnesses reported that the strike hit a guesthouse utilized by multiple journalists from at least seven different media organizations, with vehicles marked as “press” prominently displayed in the courtyard.
The deceased journalists were affiliated with Al Mayadeen TV and Al-Manar TV. Both organizations expressed their sorrow and paid tribute to their fallen colleagues. Lebanon’s information minister condemned the attack as a deliberate act, labeling it a “war crime.”
While the Israeli military has not issued a formal comment on the incident, they have historically denied any intention to target journalists. The victims include two camera operators and an engineer, all working for media entities with ties to Hezbollah and pro-Iranian outlets. Additionally, the Lebanese health ministry confirmed that three others sustained injuries from the airstrike.
Prior Israeli strikes in Lebanon have already claimed the lives of five reporters, including a Reuters journalist, emphasizing a concerning trend of violence against media personnel in the region. On-site footage displayed the devastation caused by the airstrike, showcasing the bombed-out structure and wreckage littering the area.
A journalist from Al-Jadeed, who was present during the attack, recounted the chaos as they fled the collapsing building, which had been previously recognized as a journalistic safe haven by both local and Israeli forces.
In light of escalating hostilities, many journalists covering the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah have been forced to relocate for safety. As reports of airstrikes intensified, the Israeli military has ramped up operations against perceived threats in the region.
This latest attack adds to the growing toll of violence within Lebanon, where over 1,700 airstrikes have been documented in recent weeks alone. The situation continues to evolve amidst an ongoing conflict that has resulted in significant civilian casualties, with nearly 2,600 individuals reported dead since the outbreak of hostilities following a Hamas attack on Israel.
Local authorities are monitoring the situation closely as international concerns about the safety of journalists and civilians persist in the wake of increasing aggression in the region.
