Journalists Targeted in Lebanon Strike
Israeli airstrikes killed at least 38 people in Gaza’s Khan Younis on Friday, according to Gaza health officials, as strikes ramp up across Gaza and Lebanon amid global appeals for a ceasefire. In southern Lebanon, three journalists were killed when Israel targeted a compound housing members of the press. Local Lebanese news channel Al Jadeed showed footage of chalets rented by media outlets, reduced to rubble, with cars marked “PRESS” damaged by debris. Beirut-based Al-Mayadeen TV reported the deaths of two of its staff, Ghassan Najar and Mohammed Rida, while Al-Manar TV confirmed the loss of its cameraman, Wissam Qassim.
Lebanon’s Information Minister Ziad Makary condemned the attack, calling it a deliberate assault on journalists reporting on alleged Israeli crimes. Al-Mayadeen’s director echoed this, stating that the strike was an attempt to silence media coverage of Israel’s military actions. The Israeli military has not commented on the incident.
Rising Civilian and Journalist Death Toll
The Committee to Protect Journalists reported that 128 journalists have died in Gaza since the recent conflict began, attributing many of these deaths to Israeli strikes. In Lebanon, targeted attacks on journalists have intensified, with multiple fatalities reported in the past year, including Reuters videographer Issam Abdallah, who died in October. International outcry has grown, with advocacy groups demanding accountability.
Since Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, Israel’s intensified military campaign has killed over 42,000 Palestinians, including numerous civilians. Israeli forces also launched a ground invasion of Lebanon on October 1, targeting Hezbollah-linked areas. Lebanese health officials report ongoing heavy casualties, with the total death toll exceeding 2,500 since the conflict’s escalation.
