Israeli Airstrike on Journalists
On October 25, an Israeli airstrike in south Lebanon killed three journalists. The victims were Ghassan Najjar and Mohammad Reda from al-Mayadeen, and Wissam Qassem from al-Manar. They were asleep when the attack occurred. Three other journalists were also injured. There was no fighting happening at the time.
A Guardian investigation found no signs of Hezbollah militants at the site of the strike. Legal experts have called the targeting of journalists a potential war crime. Nadim Houry, a human rights lawyer, stated that the attack seemed deliberately aimed at journalists.
Israel claimed the strike targeted a “Hezbollah military structure.” However, the Guardian’s findings showed no such infrastructure existed in the area. The victims were identified as civilians. The Israeli military has said the incident is under review but has not shared its findings.
The journalists had been staying in a guest house in Hasbaya, a town previously untouched by Israeli strikes. They were there to report on the conflict. They clearly identified themselves as journalists, wearing press markings and using “Press” labeled vehicles. Remnants of the bombs used in the attack were found to be precision-guided munitions, likely supplied by the US. This has led experts to suggest the strike was intentional.
Calls for investigations into these deaths have been made, including from UN special rapporteur Irene Khan. However, the Israeli military has not provided details about any inquiries into the journalists’ deaths. Meanwhile, the US continues to provide military assistance to Israel, even with evidence of potential war crimes involving US-made weapons.
The attack has made it more dangerous for journalists working in Lebanon. Families of the victims face immense grief. For individuals like Ghassan Najjar’s wife, the loss is a deep and painful tragedy.
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