One journalist from the Reuters news agency died and four reporters were injured in the bomb attack. During a day of clashes between the Israeli Army and Lebanese militias in southern Lebanon, as confirmed in a statement by the British media.
Media reports identified the deceased as cameraman Isam Abdullah, “who was part of the Reuters team providing live coverage in southern Lebanon.” “We are urgently seeking more information, working with authorities in the area, and supporting Isam’s family and colleagues. Our thoughts are with his family at this terrible time,” according to the news outlet.
Reuters journalists Thaer al Sudani and Maher Nazeh were also injured and are receiving medical care, according to the agency. On the other hand, a spokesman for the news agency merely stated that the reporter died “due to an artillery attack on the Lebanese border.” With Israel,” says DPA. Pan-Arab network Al Jazeera confirmed that two of its reporters, identified as Carmen Youkadar and Eli Brakhia, were also injured in this incident. The chain’s management blames Israel.
Deputy Prime Minister of Lebanon, Nayib Mikati openly condemned what happened and blamed Israel for the bombing.. According to the news of ‘L’Orient le Jour’ newspaper, he said, “The fact that the enemy of Israel directly targets journalists on Lebanese territory is another shameful act for Israel.”
Reporters Without Borders reported that preliminary information indicated the journalists shot were “identified as such and were not surrounded by fighters,” said Jonathan Daghar, head of the NGO’s Middle East division. “We lack some information, but Everything points to a deliberate attack. If so, we’re talking about a war crime“, referred to an incident reminiscent of the killing of Al Jazeera journalist Shirín abu Aklé, who was shot in the head by the Israeli Army while covering an operation of the Armed Forces in the West Bank city of Jenin in May 2022. Israeli soldiers admitted their guilt for what happened.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized that “this shows how great the risk of the spread of this conflict is, especially in relation to Lebanon.” Likewise, he paid tribute to “journalists who, unfortunately (…) pay with their lives”, emphasizing the importance of “the work they do to bring the truth to everyone in the world”.
Previously, Guterres’ spokesman Stephane Dujarric also stated that he condemned the attack and expressed the organization’s sadness over the death of the journalist in southern Lebanon. “Protecting journalists is our business. When journalists defend the truth, we support them,” Dujarric said on his official profile on social network X, formerly known as Twitter. said.
conflicts
The incident occurred while the vehicle was passing through the Lebanese town of Alma el Chaeb; Gun and artillery exchanges took place this afternoon between the Israeli Army and “an unidentified group on the Lebanese side”, according to the Lebanese Army. Regarding the Hezbollah militia, which ultimately claimed responsibility for these attacks. Lebanese military sources also confirmed to Lebanese newspaper ‘L’Orient le Jour’ and Lebanese TV network LBC that Israel attacked a military observation tower in the area.
The Israeli Army first reported in recent hours that there was an explosion that caused minor damage to a section of the security wall on the Lebanese border near the Hanita kibbutz. This explosion led Israeli forces to respond with artillery fire into Lebanon. To prevent possible leakage.