Israeli strike kills 3 journalists in Lebanon as Blinken calls for urgent resolution

Beirut authorities claim that the Israeli operations in Lebanon have resulted in over 2,500 deaths and displaced more than 1.2 million, creating a severe humanitarian crisis. The slain journalists were Ghassan Najjar and Mohamed Reda from the pro-Iranian outlet Al-Mayadeen, and Wissam Qassem from Hezbollah’s Al-Manar. They were staying in guesthouses in Hasbaya, a previously untouched town, when the strike occurred around 3 a.m. (midnight GMT).

This incident marks the fifth time journalists have been killed by Israeli strikes during this conflict, including Reuters visual journalist Issam Abdallah on October 13, 2023. Lebanese Information Minister Ziad Makary condemned the attack as a “war crime.” At least 18 journalists from six media outlets, including Sky News and Al-Jazeera, were present in the guesthouses.

A reporter from Al-Jadeed recounted hearing low-flying aircraft before two missiles struck. His footage showed damaged vehicles marked “Press.” There was no immediate response from Israel, which typically denies targeting journalists deliberately.

Additionally, the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon reported that Israeli forces fired at their troops in an observation post in southern Dhayra on Tuesday, forcing them to evacuate, although they remained at their base. Israel has denied intentionally targeting UN forces, but previous strikes on UNIFIL posts have drawn international criticism.

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