Three journalists killed in Israeli strikes in South Lebanon
- In Reports
- 10:13 PM, Oct 25, 2024
- Myind Staff
An Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon resulted in the deaths of three journalists, according to the Lebanese health ministry. The UN refugee agency has raised concerns that ongoing Israeli strikes on a border crossing with Syria are obstructing refugees attempting to escape the conflict. In response to the escalating situation, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasised the urgent need for a diplomatic resolution to the crisis, reiterating that the United States does not support a prolonged military campaign by Israel in Lebanon.
Israel launched a significant offensive in Lebanon a month ago, stating its aim was to target the heavily armed, Iran-backed Hezbollah group to facilitate the safe return of tens of thousands of Israelis who were evacuated from the north due to cross-border rocket attacks. This conflict was ignited by the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which prompted Israel's military response in Gaza. Since Thursday night, Palestinian officials report that Israeli strikes in Gaza have resulted in the deaths of at least 72 people.
Beirut authorities report that Israel's offensive in Lebanon has resulted in the deaths of over 2,500 people and displaced more than 1.2 million, leading to a severe humanitarian crisis. Among the casualties are journalists Ghassan Najjar and Mohamed Reda from the pro-Iranian news outlet Al-Mayadeen, along with Wissam Qassem, who worked for Hezbollah's Al-Manar. Their respective outlets confirmed the news in separate statements, noting that several others were also injured. The journalists were staying at guesthouses in Hasbaya, a town that had not been previously targeted when the area was struck around 3 a.m. local time (midnight GMT).
Five journalists have been killed in previous Israeli strikes while reporting on the conflict, including Reuters visual journalist Issam Abdallah on Oct. 13, 2023. "This is a war crime," Lebanese Information Minister Ziad Makary said. At least 18 journalists from six media outlets, including Sky News and Al-Jazeera were using the guesthouses.
"We heard the airplane flying very low - that's what woke us up - and then we heard the two missiles," Muhammad Farhat, a reporter with Lebanese broadcaster Al-Jadeed, said.
His footage captured overturned and damaged cars, some of which were marked "Press." There was no immediate response from Israel, which typically denies intentionally targeting journalists. On Friday, the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Lebanon reported that Israeli forces fired at their troops stationed at an observation post in southern Dhayra on Tuesday, prompting the peacekeepers to vacate the post while remaining at their base. Although Israel has denied deliberately targeting the U.N. forces, its past strikes on UNIFIL posts have faced international condemnation.
Israel has conducted airstrikes across southern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, and Beirut's southern suburbs, while also deploying ground forces against Hezbollah. On Friday, the military reported targeting weapon production sites and Hezbollah's intelligence headquarters in Beirut, as well as Hezbollah positions around the Jousieh border crossing in the northern Bekaa Valley. Israel claims that Hezbollah has utilised this crossing, which is controlled by the Syrian military, to transfer weapons into Lebanon.
Lebanon's Transport Minister, Ali Hamieh, stated that the Israeli strike has rendered the Jousieh crossing inoperable, leaving the northern route as the sole passage to Syria. The UN refugee agency has indicated that these airstrikes are obstructing refugees' efforts to escape the conflict. UNHCR spokesperson Rula Amin noted that approximately 430,000 people have crossed into Syria since the start of Israel's campaign, while Lebanon had previously served as a significant refuge for those fleeing the Syrian civil war.
"The attacks on the border crossings are a major concern," Amin said. "They are blocking the path to safety for people fleeing conflict."
The Israeli campaign spiralled out of a year of cross-border hostilities with Hezbollah, which opened fire on Oct. 8, 2023, in solidarity with its Palestinian ally Hamas, a day after it launched the Oct. 7 attack.
"We have a sense of real urgency in getting to a diplomatic resolution and the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, such that there can be real security along the border between Israel and Lebanon," Blinken said in London. He said it was important so "people at both sides of the border can have the confidence to... return to their homes".
Hezbollah has continued its fight despite suffering significant losses, including the reported killing of its leader, Hassan Nasrallah. Israel announced that five of its soldiers were killed in combat in southern Lebanon, following the previous day's report of five other soldier fatalities. The Israeli military stated that it had discovered an underground command centre in a village near the Israeli border, as well as a concealed site in wooded terrain that stored Kornet anti-tank missiles, launchers, hand grenades, and rifles.
Washington has expressed optimism that the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, who was instrumental in planning the October 7 attacks, could create momentum for a cessation of hostilities. Officials indicated that U.S. and Israeli negotiators are set to meet in Doha in the coming days to attempt to revive discussions aimed at achieving a ceasefire and securing the release of hostages in Gaza.
A Hamas official confirmed to Reuters that a delegation led by chief negotiator Khalil Al-Hayya arrived in Cairo on Thursday for talks with Egyptian officials. Meanwhile, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, who met with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in London, claimed that "ethnic cleansing" is occurring in northern Gaza. Israel, however, denies these allegations, asserting that it is working to separate civilians from Hamas militants and relocating them to safer areas.
Safadi said, "We are at the moment now where nothing justifies the continuation of the wars. Guns have to go silent."
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