Israeli Shell Strikes Journalists Covering Border Clashes in Southern Lebanon: Reuters Videographer Killed, Six Injured"
An Israeli artillery shell landed amidst a group of international journalists reporting on clashes along the border in southern Lebanon, resulting in the tragic death of a Reuters' videographer and injuries to six other journalists.
A photographer from the Associated Press present at the scene witnessed the aftermath, with the lifeless body of Reuters videographer Issam Abdallah and several injured journalists being swiftly transported to hospitals via ambulances. Disturbing images captured at the scene depicted a charred car.
In a somber statement, the Reuters news agency confirmed the loss of their videographer, Issam Abdallah, who was a crucial part of their team covering southern Lebanon and providing live broadcasts. They also pledged to work closely with local authorities and support Issam's family and colleagues, extending heartfelt condolences to those affected by the tragedy.
Additionally, Reuters disclosed that two more of its journalists, Thaer Al-Sudani and Maher Nazeh, sustained injuries in the shelling at the border. Qatar's Al-Jazeera TV reported that two of its employees, Elie Brakhya and reporter Carmen Joukhadar, were among the wounded. Meanwhile, Agence France-Presse, France's international news agency, confirmed that two of its journalists were injured but did not release their identities.
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati issued a strong condemnation of Israel's shelling during their aggression in southern Lebanon.
United Nations spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric expressed deep concern over the journalists' deaths, emphasizing the constant dangers journalists face while covering global conflicts. The UN called for a thorough investigation into the incident, stressing the critical importance of safeguarding journalists in their work.
Dujarric also reiterated the need to protect journalists and ensure they can perform their duties safely, during a briefing at UN headquarters.
Later that day, numerous journalists and human rights activists in Lebanon gathered outside the National Museum in Beirut to mourn the loss of Issam Abdallah and the injuries suffered by their colleagues.
The shelling occurred amid an exchange of fire along the Lebanon-Israel border between Israeli troops and members of Lebanon's militant Hezbollah group. Israel's United Nations ambassador, Gilad Erdan, pledged a government investigation into the incident, expressing regret and condolences while underscoring the complexities of operating in a state of war.
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