At least three journalists were murdered and numerous others were injured in an Israeli hit early Friday morning while they were sleeping in media guesthouses in Hasbaya, southern Lebanon, according to local media and Lebanon’s health ministry.
According to independent statements from the pro-Iranian news organization Al-Mayadeen, camera operator Ghassan Najjar and engineer Mohamed Reda were killed, as was camera operator Wissam Qassem, who was employed by Hezbollah’s Al-Manar.
In a year of fighting between the Israeli military and the Hezbollah movement in Lebanon, the strikes made it the bloodiest day for the media.
Israel, which often denies intentionally targeting journalists, did not immediately respond.
Reuters visual journalist Issam was one of five journalists killed in earlier Israeli strikes in Lebanon during the conflict.
