Venezuela Condemns Israeli Airstrike Targeting Journalists in Lebanon

Israeli Occupation Forces Kill Three Journalists in Lebanon

October 25, 2024 Hour: 8:08 pm

Venezuela’s statement denounced the strike as a terrorist act perpetrated by the “Zionist regime of Netanyahu,” emphasizing that it targeted journalists who were simply fulfilling their duty to report on the ongoing conflict in the region.

The Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela condemned on Friday, through a statement, the attack by Israel against the residence of journalists in Hasbayya, located in southern Lebanon.

The recent Israeli airstrike in Hasbayya, South Lebanon, has sparked outrage and condemnation from various quarters, including the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. The attack, which occurred early Friday morning, resulted in the tragic deaths of three journalists from Al-Mayadeen and Al-Manar television stations: Ghassan Najjar, Mohammad Reda, and Wissam Qasim.

“We condemn in the most forceful terms, the terrorist attack perpetrated by the Zionist regime of Netanyahu against the residence of journalists in Hasbayya, in southern Lebanon,'” emphasizes the text.

The incident follows a series of Israeli airstrikes on media facilities and personnel in Lebanon and Gaza over recent weeks. Earlier this week, an Israeli strike hit Al-Mayadeen’s offices in Beirut, raising concerns about the safety of journalists covering the conflict.

Venezuela’s condemnation aligns with broader international calls for accountability and protection for journalists.

The Venezuelan government emphasized that targeting media personnel constitutes a violation of international humanitarian law, which recognizes journalists as civilians entitled to protection during armed conflicts.

This statement serves as a reminder of the global responsibility to safeguard press freedom and ensure that journalists can operate without fear of violence or retribution.

As tensions continue to rise in Lebanon and Israel, this tragic event highlights not only the dangers faced by journalists but also raises critical questions about media freedom in conflict situations.

The international community must respond decisively to ensure that such acts do not go unpunished and that journalists can safely fulfill their essential role in informing the public.