A senior Lebanese official has accused Israel of carrying out a “deliberate assassination” of media workers in an airstrike in southern Lebanon. The attack occurred in the town of Hasbaiya, resulting in the deaths of three journalists and injuries to three others, as reported by Lebanon’s health ministry.
Lebanon’s Information Minister described the strike as a “deliberate assassination,” stating that it was carried out with premeditation and intent. The Israeli military has acknowledged the reports of the strike and is currently investigating the incident.
This attack marks the first time Israeli forces have targeted Hasbaiya since the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah began last October. The strike targeted the Hasbaiya Village Club resort, a known base for several media organizations during the ongoing conflict.
At the time of the attack, approximately 18 journalists from seven media organizations were present at the location. Two of the journalists killed were affiliated with Lebanon-based TV channel Al-Mayadeen, while the third worked for Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Manar TV.
Just days before this incident, Israel had also struck the office of Al-Mayadeen, a pro-Hezbollah station, in Beirut’s southern suburbs. The attack on the media workers has raised concerns about press freedom and safety in the region.
