Israel has stated that it was targeting a facility linked to Hezbollah during an airstrike and is presently conducting an analysis of the attack. The Hasbaya Village Club, a peaceful retreat spot nestled in southern Lebanon, had been known for its holiday cabins, highlighted by red-tiled roofs, situated close to a quaint rivulet. This club provided a breathtaking view of the mountain landscapes near the Israeli border in less intense times.
In recent weeks, as Israeli forces moved into Lebanon to combat Hezbollah, these cabins turned into temporary dwelling spots for 18 journalists, belonging to international and Lebanese news agencies. The media professionals chose this location to report on the Israel-Hezbollah conflict, while having the option to withdraw from the chaos of the frontline once their workday concluded.
But unexpected violence reached their refuge around 3 a.m. on a fateful Friday. According to those who survived, an intense strike by Israel shattered three of these cabins in the midst of their hosts’ slumber. This horrifying strike resulted in three fatalities and wounded at least three.
These three individuals reported to be killed join the continually growing list of journalists who have lost their lives covering the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. The attack drew sharp criticism from both Lebanon’s Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, and its Minister of Information, who pointedly labelled the assault as a ‘war crime.’
Mikati suggested that the intended purpose of this attack was to instill fear in the media and prevent them from exposing the atrocities and decimation taking place. As a response to these allegations, the Israeli military released a statement clarifying that their target was a Hezbollah-associated structure. After media reports about journalists being inflicted in the Hasbaya attack came forward, the military asserted that the strike is under further examination.
The military further stated that it never consciously strikes journalists, however, it does view participants in hostilities, including members of ‘organized armed groups’ like Hamas’ military wing, as legitimate targets. Amidst these developments, international press associations expressed their concerns about global law enforcement’s failure to uphold the International Humanitarian Law, which recognizes journalists as non-combatants.
The international community was reminded by representatives from Reporters without Borders, a Paris-based organization, that journalists should not face attacks for conducting their professional duties, irrespective of their associations or their media organization’s editorial strategies. The individuals who sought refuge at the Hasbaya Village Club were affiliated with seven international or Lebanese news agencies.
Both, the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists, and Reporters without Borders, have called for an international inquiry into the incident. They emphasized that intentional attacks on journalists constitute a war crime as per international laws. Particularly in the Gaza region, the death toll among Palestinian journalists is strikingly high, mounting to over 130 according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.
The incident at Hasbaya Village Club occurred just two days after Israeli forces claimed that six Al Jazeera correspondents based in Gaza were combatants in Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. This marks a further step in the ongoing discord between Israel and the Arabic-language broadcaster, Qatari-backed Al Jazeera, which has categorically denied the allegations.
Al Jazeera’s correspondents are among the few remaining reporters on the ground in Gaza, entrusted with the critical task of documenting the extensive damage caused by Israeli operations. While the majority of journalist deaths have occurred in Gaza, Lebanon has also reported several instances of such fatalities since the recent hostilities spiked in October 2023.
The individuals who lost their lives in the Friday airstrike included a cameraman associated with Hezbollah’s TV station and a broadcast engineer and a cameraman, both employees of a channel perceived to hold pro-Hezbollah views. Ali Shoieb, a journalist who survived the attack, bore witness to the wreckage in the hours that followed the assault.
Shoieb confirmed that there were no signs of military equipment at the guesthouse or any hint of military occupation. He stated unequivocally that none of the inhabitants had any military associations, insisting, ‘Our weapons were cameras, our weapons were pictures, our weapons were articles.’
This incident brings to light the hazardous conditions under which journalists are operating in the region and the dire consequences they face. These fearless individuals continue to bear the responsibility of reporting from conflict-ridden areas, putting their lives at constant risk to inform others.
The demands for a comprehensive and impartial international investigation into these incidents are growing, emphasizing the need for protecting journalists, recognized as civilians by international law. These circumstances call on responsible entities around the globe to uphold their commitment to the safety and security of journalists, honoring their rights as crucial contributors in maintaining democratic societies.
The occurrence of such adversities serves as a strong reminder of the importance of free and objective journalism and overstates the need for their protection. They demonstrate their bravery day after day by venturing into the heart of conflicts, armed with nothing more than their cameras, their images, and their stories, ultimately contributing to the pursuit of truth in precarious global situations.