An Israeli projectile struck a gathering of international journalists covering clashes along the southern Lebanese border on Friday, resulting in the tragic death of a Reuters videographer and injuries to six other journalists.
An Associated Press photographer who was present at the scene witnessed the lifeless body of Issam Abdallah, the Reuters videographer, and the wounded journalists, some of whom were promptly transported to hospitals in ambulances. Photographs from the scene depicted a charred vehicle.
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The Reuters news agency issued a sorrowful statement, conveying, "We are deeply saddened to inform you of the loss of our videographer, Issam Abdallah." The agency further explained that Abdallah was part of a Reuters crew stationed in southern Lebanon, providing a live broadcast.
Reuters also revealed that two of its journalists, Thaer Al-Sudani and Maher Nazeh, sustained injuries during the shelling along the border area.
White House spokesperson Olivia Dalton, addressing reporters on Friday, conveyed the condolences and prayers of US President Joe Biden for the families of the Reuters news videographer who lost his life while working in southern Lebanon. Dalton acknowledged the hazardous nature of journalism and expressed empathy for the journalists' critical work.
A White House National Security Council official, speaking with Al Arabiya English, mentioned that US officials were actively working to gather additional information, emphasizing the significance of journalism to a free society.
A group of journalists from various media outlets were positioned near Alma al-Shaab, close to the Israeli border when they found themselves caught in cross-border shelling, according to one of the two wounded AFP correspondents.
An initial Israeli shelling, as reported by a Lebanese security source, followed an attempted infiltration by a Palestinian faction from the Lebanese side of the border.
Two of the journalists of Al Jazeera, Carmen Joukhadar and Elie Brakhya, were among the wounded, attributing the incident to an "Israeli bombing on their vehicle."
AFP's global news director, Phil Chetwynd, expressed deep concern over the incident, stating, "We are deeply concerned that a group of journalists who were clearly identified have been killed and injured while doing their job. We send our deepest condolences to our friends at Reuters for the loss of Issam, and we are all pulling for our injured colleagues in the hospital."
AFP correspondents reported shelling directed at the villages of Dhayra, Alma al-Shaab, and Adaysseh, with smoke billowing from the area.