At least three journalists were killed in an Israeli strike in southern Lebanon overnight Thursday, according to local media reports.
The deadly attack reportedly wounded other journalists in an attack on the building they were sleeping in.
This comes hours after Israel killed three soldiers from the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and just over one year after Israeli tank fire killed Reuters journalist Issam Abdallah and wounded several others, also in southern Lebanon, reports Al Arabia.
Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin has repeatedly expressed his deep concern about Israeli strikes on the LAF and against UN peacekeepers in Lebanon during calls with his Israeli counterpart. The latest call and warning came on Wednesday. Hours later, an Israeli strike killed three LAF soldiers as they were evacuating wounded people from the site of another attack.
Asked whether the Israelis were not taking US concerns seriously or if the US message was failing to get across, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said, “I think they certainly hear our concerns, and they understand them.”
“They understand the need to conduct operations that take into account whether it be Lebanese Armed Forces or UNIFIL operating in that area,” Singh said in a response to a question from Al Arabiya English. “They do understand that, and we’re going to keep making it clear and, you know, keep pressing for details when we need more information.”
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
