An Israeli airstrike on a compound housing journalists in southeast Lebanon early Friday has killed three media staff members and injured several others, according to the National News Agency.
The Beirut-based pan-Arab Al-Mayadeen TV reported that two of its staffers — camera operator Ghassan Najar and broadcast technician Mohammed Rida — were among those killed. Al-Manar TV stated that its camera operator, Wissam Qassim, was also a victim of the airstrike in the Hasbaya region. Among the injured are Elie Abou Assaly and Ali Mortada from Al-Jazeera, as well as Hassan Hoteit and Zakaria Fadel.
Local news station Al Jadeed aired footage from the scene, which showed collapsed buildings and cars marked "PRESS" covered in dust and rubble. The Israeli Army did not issue a warning prior to the strike.
The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the incident.
Caretaker Information Minister Ziad Makari wrote on X: "The Israeli Army waited for journalists' nighttime rest to ambush them as they slept, despite their relentless coverage over recent months to expose its crimes. This is an assassination, premeditated and targeted, as 18 journalists from seven media outlets were present."
In a statement, the Council of the Syndicate of Audiovisual Media Workers and the Syndicate of Lebanese Press Editors condemned “the horrific massacre.” The Samir Kassir Foundation emphasized that this bombing constitutes “a new Israeli war crime.” It noted that this is not the first time Israel has targeted journalists covering the conflict in southern Lebanon. On October 13 of last year, an Israeli tank crew killed 38-year-old Reuters journalist Issam Abdallah and wounded six other journalists.
Field Developments in Southern Lebanon
In related developments, clashes erupted on Friday between Hezbollah and Israeli forces attempting to penetrate Aitaroun in southern Lebanon.
Moreover, at 3:30 AM, Israeli warplanes attacked the Lebanese-Syrian border crossing at Masnaa. An-Nahar reported that the strike destroyed a small passageway that had survived previous raids in recent days.
Israeli attacks on villages in the districts of Tyre and Bint Jbeil have continued since midnight, with airstrikes targeting the town of Ma’arakeh, resulting in several civilian injuries. The wounded were transferred to hospitals in Tyre. Airstrikes also struck the outskirts of Tura, Sharafiyat, Mansouri, Bazourieh, Tayr Debba, and Bourj al-Shamali. Overnight, the towns of Aita al-Shaab, Ramya, and al-Qouzah were hit by phosphorus artillery shelling. At dawn, Israeli artillery bombarded the towns of Maroun al-Ras, Yaroun, and the city of Bint Jbeil.
Reconnaissance drones and warplanes have been conducting continuous flights over villages in the districts of Tyre and Bint Jbeil, heavily deploying flares over border villages adjacent to the Blue Line.
Tensions in Beirut’s Southern Suburbs
A tense calm prevails in Beirut's southern suburbs following a series of overnight airstrikes, which have reached a total of 13, starting from Choueifat Amrousieh, passing through Haret Hreik and the Saint Therese area, and reaching the vicinity of Burj al-Barajneh. The fiercest strike occurred in Choueifat Amrousieh, where two buildings were destroyed, igniting a large fire that filled the area with black smoke.
The airstrike targeting the Saint Therese area also caused the collapse of two buildings near the Constitutional Council. While calm has settled, clouds of smoke continue to cover the skies over Burj al-Barajneh and Saint Therese.
Israeli Response
From the Israeli side, sirens sounded in Caesarea, south of Haifa, today, following an attack on the home of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by a drone days earlier. The Israeli military announced that it had "intercepted a single rocket fired from Lebanon toward southern Haifa." Israeli media reported that explosions were heard in the Hadera area, south of Haifa. Additionally, an Israeli media platform reported that Hezbollah shelled "Misgav Am," where a group of soldiers is located. It indicated that the shelling is ongoing, with casualties and injuries, as attempts are being made to evacuate the wounded under Hezbollah fire.
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