Israeli forces targeted a press guesthouse in southern Lebanon on Friday morning, resulting in the deaths of three journalists and injuries to several others. The airstrike struck a group of small chalets in Hasbaya where 18 journalists from media outlets including Al Jazeera, Sky News Arabia, and TRT were staying to cover the Israel-Hezbollah conflict. The journalists had moved to the shelter due to intensified Israeli bombings in their previous location. The victims were identified as journalists from Al Mayadeen and Al Manar, two outlets considered aligned with Hezbollah.
Lebanese Information Minister Ziad Makary condemned the airstrike as a war crime, emphasizing the premeditated targeting of the journalists. This incident follows previous Israeli attacks on media offices in Beirut and Gaza. The ongoing conflict in Lebanon has led to a rising death toll, with over 2,500 casualties reported by the Lebanese Health Ministry.
The attack on journalists underscores the dangers faced by media personnel in conflict zones, with at least 125 journalists killed in Israel’s recent conflicts. As the international community grapples with protecting journalists, the incident serves as a reminder of the risks journalists take to report on global events.