an Israeli airstrike near Lebanon’s Syrian border reportedly killed three journalists as confirmed by Lebanese state news agency NNA and pro-Iranian broadcaster Al Mayadeen. The airstrike, occurring around 3:30 a.m. local time, targeted a residence in Hasbaya, a southeastern region of Lebanon, known to house media personnel. Al Mayadeen reported that its cameraman Ghassan Najjar and broadcast engineer Mohammad Reda lost their lives in the strike, with Najjar remembered for his dedication to “revealing the truth.” Additionally, Al-Manar, associated with Hezbollah, confirmed the death of its photographer Wissam Qassem in the same strike.
In addition to this attack, Israel’s air campaign on Hezbollah-aligned areas in Beirut’s southern suburbs led to widespread damage, including the destruction of two buildings and significant fires. Israel has increased military operations in Lebanon since September to secure its northern border against frequent cross-border attacks by Hezbollah, which supports Hamas.
This escalation follows a year of rising tensions since the October 2023 attacks by Hamas on Israel, sparking new regional conflict. The Committee to Protect Journalists has documented at least 128 journalist deaths across Gaza, the West Bank, Israel, and Lebanon since the onset of the Israel-Hamas war, highlighting the mounting risks faced by journalists in these volatile zones.
