Israeli Strike Kills 3 Journalists, Lebanon's Health Ministry Says

Three news media staff members lost their lives in an Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon. The victims were in a residence used by journalists in Hasbaya, near the border with Israel. Additionally, three other individuals reportedly sustained injuries during the strike. A cameraman associated with a broadcaster linked to a militant group and a cameraman along with a broadcast engineer from another outlet were confirmed dead. The Israeli military has yet to provide a comment.

The site of the strike housed eighteen journalists from various organizations. Initially considered a safe havens for those fleeing violence, Hasbaya was hosting evacuees from nearby conflict-ridden regions in southern Lebanon. Concerns about the safety of journalists in the area have been heightened due to recent incidents, including previous strikes that resulted in casualties among media personnel.

In another development, Israel's military has accused six reporters based in Gaza of affiliations with militant groups, claims that have been denied by the journalists' employer, citing them as based on unsubstantiated evidence. Tensions between the media outlet and Israeli authorities have been ongoing, with past incidents involving accusations of incitement and national security threats. Previous months have seen fatal incidents involving journalists in the region, sparking allegations of targeted attacks on media working in conflict zones.