- Israeli strikes kill journalists
- Hezbollah targeted by IDF
- Civilian casualties raise concerns
Local media reports that, as hostilities escalate along the frontier, Israeli strikes in Lebanon have claimed the lives of four individuals, including two journalists.
The Prime Minister of Lebanon condemned the “attack” that claimed the lives of an Al Mayadeen TV cinematographer and reporter, in addition to another individual, in the village of Tayr Harfa.
The Israeli military said they “operated against a threat” in the region and were investigating.
Reportedly, an elderly woman was also murdered in the eastern city of Kfarkela.
The previous evening, Israeli aircraft conducted strikes against targets affiliated with the Lebanese organization Hezbollah, which has consistently launched mortar shells and missiles across the border since the commencement of the conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip six weeks ago, in addition to what the military termed “terrorist cells” in the border region.
Journalists Intentionally Targeted
Al Mayadeen, an Arabic television channel based in Beirut, reported that its cameraman Rabih al-Maamari and reporter Farah Omar were “intentionally targeted” while reporting from Tayr Harfa, a village located approximately 2 kilometres (1.2 miles) from the frontier.
It was stated that an Israeli warplane launched two missiles at the location of Farah and Rabih.
Farah and Rabih ended a live broadcast on the latest Israeli bombardment in South Lebanon at 10:00 AM [08:00 GMT].
A social media post showed journalists’ corpses on the ground near a tripod-mounted, on-fire TV camera.
The National News Agency (NNA), a state-run news agency in Lebanon, reported the death of Hussein Aqeel, an additional civilian. Ghassan bin Jiddo, the director of Al Mayadeen, referred to himself as a “contributor.”
“This attack once more demonstrates that Israeli atrocities know no bounds, and that their sole objective is to stifle the press that exposes their crimes and aggressions,” Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati stated, as reported by NNA.
IDF Operations and Civilian Casualties
In a statement, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) claimed that its troops had “operated against a threat emanating from a Hezbollah terrorist organization launching area” in the Jibbain region, located 1.5 kilometres east of Tayr Harfa.
“Ready to invest smarter? Secure your free Webull shares in the UK now.”
This region is characterized by ongoing hostilities and frequent exchanges of gunfire. Being in the vicinity is hazardous. “A review is currently underway into the incident,” it continued.
The IDF has denied targeting journalists, although this appears to be the third attack since the crisis began. The attacks are against journalists operating in southern Lebanon.
Several family members were injured and a fourth individual, identified by the NNA as 80-year-old Laiqa Sarhan, was slain in an assault on a village located further east along the border.
Their dwelling in Kfarkela was severely devastated in the impact. Local civil defence units dispatched firefighters to extinguish the conflagration while ambulances transported injured family members, including children, to the hospital.
Regional Tensions and Ongoing Violence
The IDF released a statement earlier on Tuesday stating that its aircraft had “exterminated three armed terrorist cells operating in the border region” and “a number of Hezbollah terror targets, including military infrastructure and structures utilized to direct terrorist activity.”
Hezbollah, a Shia Islamist organization supported by Iran, commands significant military and political influence in Lebanon. Terrorist organizations include Israel, the United Kingdom, the United States, and others.
After October 7, when Gaza-based gunmen from Hamas, another Iran-backed organization classified as a terrorist organization by Israel and Western powers, stormed southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the capture of 240 others, the murderous exchanges along the border escalated.
Hamas was the target of a military operation initiated by Israel in retaliation for the assault. More than 14,000 people have been killed in Gaza, according to the government commanded by Hamas.
The Tuesday incident in Lebanon comes roughly a week after an Israeli attack on a journalist-occupied Yaroun village.
On October 13, Issam Abdallah, a cameraman for the Reuters news agency, was fatally struck by Israeli strikes. In the course of covering frontier clashes, six additional journalists sustained injuries.
Armed confrontations along the border with Israel have claimed the lives of at least 77 individuals, including combatants and civilians. This information comes from the Lebanon Ministry of Public Health and is reported by the United Nations.
According to Israeli authorities, three civilians and six soldiers were slain in northern Israel during the same time period.
Covid investigation: First lockdown ordered too late – Whitty
