Lebanon said an Israeli strike on a residence housing media workers killed two journalists and a broadcast engineer on Friday, in an attack the minister of information branded a "war crime".

Pro-Iran Lebanese television channel Al Mayadeen said a cameraman and broadcast engineer were killed in the strike on a journalists' residence in Hasbaya, south Lebanon.

Another TV outlet, Al-Manar, run by Hezbollah, said one of its video journalists was also killed in the strike on a bungalow located in a resort that several media organisations covering the Israel-Hezbollah war had rented out.

"The Israeli enemy waited for the journalists' nighttime break to betray them in their sleep," Information Minister Ziad Makary said in a post on X.

"This is an assassination, after monitoring and tracking, with prior planning and design, as there were 18 journalists there representing seven media institutions. This is a war crime."

Journalists from other media organisations, including Lebanese broadcaster Al-Jadeed, Sky News Arabic and Al Jazeera English, were also resting nearby when the strike hit overnight.

Israel has not commented on the strike, which, according to Lebanon's health ministry, also wounded three other people.

The area where the journalists were located is outside Hezbollah's traditional strongholds.

Israel has been at war with Hezbollah in Lebanon since late last month, in a bid to secure its northern border after nearly a year of cross-border fire from the Iran-backed armed group.

Hezbollah began low-intensity strikes on Israel in support of its Palestinian ally Hamas following the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, the deadliest in its history.

After nearly a year of war in Gaza sparked by the attack, Israel expanded its focus to Lebanon and last month launched a massive bombing campaign targeting mainly Hezbollah strongholds across the country, sending in ground troops on September 30.&nbsp;

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The war in Lebanon has killed at least 1,580 people, according to an AFP tally of Lebanese health ministry figures.

Israel's military on Friday said it had struck more than 200 militant targets in Lebanon over the past day.

It also announced the deaths of five soldiers in fighting in south Lebanon.

<h2>- Gaza strikes -</h2>

In Gaza, the civil defence agency said Israeli air strikes hit two homes at dawn on Friday in Khan Yunis, the Palestinian territory's main southern city.&nbsp;

According to agency spokesman Mahmud Bassal, 14 were killed in a strike that hit the home of the Al-Fara family, and another six were killed in a separate raid.

In north Gaza, the Israeli military on Friday said dozens of militants were killed around Jabalia, in north Gaza, over the previous day.

Israel launched a major assault on north Gaza earlier this month, saying it aims to prevent Hamas from regrouping there.

The civil defence's Bassal said "more than 770 people have been killed" in northern Gaza in the 19 days since the Israeli operation began there.

The war in Gaza began with Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,206 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of official Israeli figures.

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The militants also took 251 people hostage, 97 of whom are still in Gaza, including 34 the Israeli military says are dead.&nbsp;

Israel's retaliatory campaign in Gaza has killed 42,847 people, the majority civilians, according to data from the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory, data which the UN considers reliable.

Multiple bids to stop the war have failed, though Israel's key backer the United States has voiced hope that the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar last week could serve as an opening for a deal.

A senior Hamas official told AFP that a delegation from the group's Doha-based leadership discussed "ideas and proposals" related to a Gaza truce with Egyptian officials in Cairo on Thursday.

"Hamas has expressed readiness to stop the fighting, but Israel must commit to a ceasefire, withdraw from the Gaza Strip, allow the return of displaced people, agree to a serious prisoner exchange deal and allow the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza," the official said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he welcomed mediator Egypt's readiness to reach a deal "for the release of the hostages" held by militants in Gaza.

Netanyahu directed the head of Israel's Mossad spy agency to leave for Qatar on Sunday to "advance a series of initiatives that are on the agenda", his office said.

Qatar, Egypt and the United States have long tried to mediate a ceasefire in the Gaza war.

<h2>- 'Time is running out' -</h2>

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Qatar's leaders in Doha on Thursday on his 11th trip to the region since the start of the Gaza war.

During the trip, which comes less than two weeks before US elections, Blinken said mediators would explore new options.

Israeli and US officials as well as some analysts said Sinwar had been a key obstacle to a deal which would release the hostages still held in Gaza.

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Critics of Netanyahu, too, have regularly accused him of obstructing truce and hostage release negotiations.

An Israeli group representing families of hostages called on Netanyahu and Hamas to secure an agreement to free the remaining captives.

"Time is running out," the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said.&nbsp;

On Thursday, hostage supporters marched outside Netanyahu's Jerusalem residence demanding action for their release.

Blinken landed late Thursday in London, where a US official said he would meet on Friday with the foreign ministers of Jordan and the United Arab Emirates.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for&nbsp;WION&nbsp;audience.

Lebanon said an Israeli strike on a residence housing media workers killed two journalists and a broadcast engineer on Friday, in an attack the minister of information branded a "war crime".

Lebanon said an Israeli strike on a residence housing media workers killed two journalists and a broadcast engineer on Friday, in an attack the minister of information branded a "war crime". Pro-Iran Lebanese television channel Al Mayadeen said a cameraman and broadcast engineer were killed in the strike on a journalists' residence in Hasbaya, south Lebanon. Another TV outlet, Al-Manar, run by Hezbollah, said one of its video journalists was also killed in the strike on a bungalow located in a resort that several media organisations covering the Israel-Hezbollah war had rented out. "The Israeli enemy waited for the journalists' nighttime break to betray them in their sleep," Information Minister Ziad Makary said in a post on X. "This is an assassination, after monitoring and tracking, with prior planning and design, as there were 18 journalists there representing seven media institutions. This is a war crime." Journalists from other media organisations, including Lebanese broadcaster Al-Jadeed, Sky News Arabic and Al Jazeera English, were also resting nearby when the strike hit overnight. Israel has not commented on the strike, which, according to Lebanon's health ministry, also wounded three other people. The area where the journalists were located is outside Hezbollah's traditional strongholds. Israel has been at war with Hezbollah in Lebanon since late last month, in a bid to secure its northern border after nearly a year of cross-border fire from the Iran-backed armed group. Hezbollah began low-intensity strikes on Israel in support of its Palestinian ally Hamas following the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, the deadliest in its history. After nearly a year of war in Gaza sparked by the attack, Israel expanded its focus to Lebanon and last month launched a massive bombing campaign targeting mainly Hezbollah strongholds across the country, sending in ground troops on September 30. Also Read | India-China border row: Disengagement of troops begins in Demchok, Depsang The war in Lebanon has killed at least 1,580 people, according to an AFP tally of Lebanese health ministry figures. Israel's military on Friday said it had struck more than 200 militant targets in Lebanon over the past day. It also announced the deaths of five soldiers in fighting in south Lebanon. - Gaza strikes - In Gaza, the civil defence agency said Israeli air strikes hit two homes at dawn on Friday in Khan Yunis, the Palestinian territory's main southern city. According to agency spokesman Mahmud Bassal, 14 were killed in a strike that hit the home of the Al-Fara family, and another six were killed in a separate raid. In north Gaza, the Israeli military on Friday said dozens of militants were killed around Jabalia, in north Gaza, over the previous day. Israel launched a major assault on north Gaza earlier this month, saying it aims to prevent Hamas from regrouping there. The civil defence's Bassal said "more than 770 people have been killed" in northern Gaza in the 19 days since the Israeli operation began there. The war in Gaza began with Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,206 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of official Israeli figures. Also Read | Taiwan will not cede an inch of its territory, says President Lai The militants also took 251 people hostage, 97 of whom are still in Gaza, including 34 the Israeli military says are dead. Israel's retaliatory campaign in Gaza has killed 42,847 people, the majority civilians, according to data from the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory, data which the UN considers reliable. Multiple bids to stop the war have failed, though Israel's key backer the United States has voiced hope that the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar last week could serve as an opening for a deal. A senior Hamas official told AFP that a delegation from the group's Doha-based leadership discussed "ideas and proposals" related to a Gaza truce with Egyptian officials in Cairo on Thursday. "Hamas has expressed readiness to stop the fighting, but Israel must commit to a ceasefire, withdraw from the Gaza Strip, allow the return of displaced people, agree to a serious prisoner exchange deal and allow the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza," the official said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he welcomed mediator Egypt's readiness to reach a deal "for the release of the hostages" held by militants in Gaza. Netanyahu directed the head of Israel's Mossad spy agency to leave for Qatar on Sunday to "advance a series of initiatives that are on the agenda", his office said. Qatar, Egypt and the United States have long tried to mediate a ceasefire in the Gaza war. - 'Time is running out' - US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Qatar's leaders in Doha on Thursday on his 11th trip to the region since the start of the Gaza war. During the trip, which comes less than two weeks before US elections, Blinken said mediators would explore new options. Israeli and US officials as well as some analysts said Sinwar had been a key obstacle to a deal which would release the hostages still held in Gaza. Also Read | Japan and US Finance leaders address currency fluctuations in bilateral talks Critics of Netanyahu, too, have regularly accused him of obstructing truce and hostage release negotiations. An Israeli group representing families of hostages called on Netanyahu and Hamas to secure an agreement to free the remaining captives. "Time is running out," the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said. On Thursday, hostage supporters marched outside Netanyahu's Jerusalem residence demanding action for their release. Blinken landed late Thursday in London, where a US official said he would meet on Friday with the foreign ministers of Jordan and the United Arab Emirates. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Lebanon reports 3 media workers killed in Israeli strike

An Israeli airstrike in Lebanon hit a building housing Syrian workers and their families, killing 23 people, Lebanese officials said on Thursday. It was one of the deadliest single strikes in an intensified air campaign against the militant Hezbollah group.

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The strike late Wednesday came as the United States and its allies called for an “immediate” 21-day cease-fire to “provide space for diplomacy”.

Israel has threatened to launch a ground invasion, and the increasingly heavy exchanges of fire could trigger an all-out war. 
 
Lebanon's National News Agency said the strike occurred near the ancient city of Baalbek in Lebanon's northeastern Bekaa Valley, which runs along the Syrian border. It quoted Ali Kassas, mayor of the village of Younine, as saying that the bodies of 23 Syrian citizens were pulled from under the rubble. He said four Syrians and four Lebanese were wounded. 
 
Hussein Salloum, a local official in Younine, said most of the dead were women and children, and that rescue efforts lasted through the night and into Thursday morning.

“We dug through the rubble with our own hands” until a small bulldozer was brought in, Salloum told The Associated Press by telephone. “We had very limited capabilities.” The Lebanese Red Cross said it recovered nine bodies, while others were recovered by the Hezbollah militant group's paramedic service and the Lebanese Civil Defence.

Lebanon, with a population of around 6 million, hosts nearly 780,000 registered Syrian refugees and hundreds of thousands who are unregistered — the world's highest refugee population per capita. 
 
Israel has carried out heavy strikes across Lebanon for days, targeting what it says are Hezbollah rocket launchers and other military infrastructure. The militants have fired hundreds of rockets into Israel and on Wednesday targeted Tel Aviv for the first time with a long-range missile that was intercepted.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is travelling to the United States for the UN General Assembly, has not yet responded to the cease-fire proposal. But his foreign minister, Israel Katz, said Israel would continue fighting “with full force until victory”. 
 
Hezbollah has also not yet responded to the proposal. The militant group has insisted it would only halt its strikes if there is a cease-fire in Gaza, which appears out of reach despite months of negotiations led by the United States, Egypt and Qatar.

Israeli strikes since Monday have killed more than 630 people in Lebanon, according to local health authorities, who say around a quarter were women and children. Several people have been wounded by shrapnel in Israel. 
 
Israel struck 75 sites overnight across southern and eastern Lebanon, the military said. At least 45 projectiles were fired from Lebanon early Thursday, all of which were intercepted or fell in open areas, it said.

Hezbollah began firing rockets into Israel after Hamas' October 7 attack ignited the war in Gaza, hoping to pin down Israeli forces. Both Hezbollah and Hamas are close allies of Iran. The fighting has killed dozens of people in Israel and driven tens of thousands from their homes on both sides of the border. 
 
Israel has vowed to do whatever is necessary to allow its citizens to return, and it has moved thousands of troops to the northern border in preparation for a possible ground operation.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

An Israeli airstrike in Lebanon hit a building housing Syrian workers and their families, killing 23 people, Lebanese officials said on Thursday. It was one of the deadliest single strikes in an intensified air campaign against the militant Hezbollah group.

An Israeli airstrike in Lebanon hit a building housing Syrian workers and their families, killing 23 people, Lebanese officials said on Thursday. It was one of the deadliest single strikes in an intensified air campaign against the militant Hezbollah group. The strike late Wednesday came as the United States and its allies called for an “immediate” 21-day cease-fire to “provide space for diplomacy”. Israel has threatened to launch a ground invasion, and the increasingly heavy exchanges of fire could trigger an all-out war. Lebanon's National News Agency said the strike occurred near the ancient city of Baalbek in Lebanon's northeastern Bekaa Valley, which runs along the Syrian border. It quoted Ali Kassas, mayor of the village of Younine, as saying that the bodies of 23 Syrian citizens were pulled from under the rubble. He said four Syrians and four Lebanese were wounded. Hussein Salloum, a local official in Younine, said most of the dead were women and children, and that rescue efforts lasted through the night and into Thursday morning. “We dug through the rubble with our own hands” until a small bulldozer was brought in, Salloum told The Associated Press by telephone. “We had very limited capabilities.” The Lebanese Red Cross said it recovered nine bodies, while others were recovered by the Hezbollah militant group's paramedic service and the Lebanese Civil Defence. Lebanon, with a population of around 6 million, hosts nearly 780,000 registered Syrian refugees and hundreds of thousands who are unregistered — the world's highest refugee population per capita. Israel has carried out heavy strikes across Lebanon for days, targeting what it says are Hezbollah rocket launchers and other military infrastructure. The militants have fired hundreds of rockets into Israel and on Wednesday targeted Tel Aviv for the first time with a long-range missile that was intercepted. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is travelling to the United States for the UN General Assembly, has not yet responded to the cease-fire proposal. But his foreign minister, Israel Katz, said Israel would continue fighting “with full force until victory”. Hezbollah has also not yet responded to the proposal. The militant group has insisted it would only halt its strikes if there is a cease-fire in Gaza, which appears out of reach despite months of negotiations led by the United States, Egypt and Qatar. Israeli strikes since Monday have killed more than 630 people in Lebanon, according to local health authorities, who say around a quarter were women and children. Several people have been wounded by shrapnel in Israel. Israel struck 75 sites overnight across southern and eastern Lebanon, the military said. At least 45 projectiles were fired from Lebanon early Thursday, all of which were intercepted or fell in open areas, it said. Hezbollah began firing rockets into Israel after Hamas' October 7 attack ignited the war in Gaza, hoping to pin down Israeli forces. Both Hezbollah and Hamas are close allies of Iran. The fighting has killed dozens of people in Israel and driven tens of thousands from their homes on both sides of the border. Israel has vowed to do whatever is necessary to allow its citizens to return, and it has moved thousands of troops to the northern border in preparation for a possible ground operation. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Lebanon’s state-run news agency claims Israeli airstrike killed around 23 Syrian workers and kin

Lebanon Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Monday (Sep 23) slammed Israel's "destructive plan" of strikes against his country as a "war of extermination". His statement comes as the Israeli military struck over 300 Hezbollah targets in east and south Lebanon.

<h2 bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:8,&quot;y&quot;:85,&quot;w&quot;:723,&quot;h&quot;:26,&quot;abs_x&quot;:41,&quot;abs_y&quot;:1922}">Israel's ‘war of extermination’</h2>

Speaking at a cabinet meeting, the caretaker PM Najib Mikati said, "The continuing Israeli aggression on Lebanon is a war of extermination in every sense of the word and a destructive plan that aims to destroy Lebanese villages and towns."&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:88,&quot;y&quot;:197,&quot;w&quot;:526,&quot;h&quot;:16,&quot;abs_x&quot;:121,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2034}" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-strikes-more-than-300-hezbollah-targets-182-killed-over-700-injured-761254">Israel strikes more than 300 Hezbollah targets, 182 killed, over 700 injured</a>

Mikati also urged "the United Nations and the General Assembly and influential countries… to deter the (Israeli) aggression".

As per a statement released on X, he told his cabinet that Israel is planning to "destroy Lebanese villages and towns".

The caretaker PM also said&nbsp;he would work "to stop the new Israeli war and avoid as much as possible falling into the unknown".

Lebanon health ministry in a statement said, "Israeli enemy strikes on southern towns and villages since this morning."&nbsp;

It said that the strikes have killed "182 people and wounded 727 others", with children, women, and health workers among the casualties.

However, as per an AFP report citing a Lebanon minister, 274 people,&nbsp;including 21 children, have died in the strikes.

<h2 bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:8,&quot;y&quot;:382,&quot;w&quot;:723,&quot;h&quot;:26,&quot;abs_x&quot;:41,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2219}">Israeli strikes on Lebanon</h2>

On Monday, Israel said it hit more than 300 Hezbollah sites in dozens of strikes.

Also read |&nbsp;<a bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:88,&quot;y&quot;:558,&quot;w&quot;:636,&quot;h&quot;:16,&quot;abs_x&quot;:121,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2395}" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-does-not-seek-war-have-the-right-to-defend-our-people-president-herzog-761183">‘Israel does not seek war, but we have duty, right to defend our people’: President Herzog</a>

The nation has also warned Lebanon citizens to steer clear of Hezbollah sites. In a statement, Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari told the people to avoid potential targets linked to Hezbollah, and said that the as strikes would "go on for the near future".

He warned that the Israeli military "will engage in (more) extensive and precise strikes against terror targets which have been embedded widely throughout Lebanon", and&nbsp;told civilians to "immediately move out of harm's way for their own safety".

(With inputs from agencies)

Lebanon Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Monday (Sep 23) slammed Israel's "destructive plan" of strikes against his country as a "war of extermination". His statement comes as the Israeli military struck over 300 Hezbollah targets in east and south Lebanon.

Lebanon Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Monday (Sep 23) slammed Israel's "destructive plan" of strikes against his country as a "war of extermination". His statement comes as the Israeli military struck over 300 Hezbollah targets in east and south Lebanon. Israel's ‘war of extermination’ Speaking at a cabinet meeting, the caretaker PM Najib Mikati said, "The continuing Israeli aggression on Lebanon is a war of extermination in every sense of the word and a destructive plan that aims to destroy Lebanese villages and towns." Also read | Israel strikes more than 300 Hezbollah targets, 182 killed, over 700 injured Mikati also urged "the United Nations and the General Assembly and influential countries… to deter the (Israeli) aggression". As per a statement released on X, he told his cabinet that Israel is planning to "destroy Lebanese villages and towns". The caretaker PM also said he would work "to stop the new Israeli war and avoid as much as possible falling into the unknown". Lebanon health ministry in a statement said, "Israeli enemy strikes on southern towns and villages since this morning." It said that the strikes have killed "182 people and wounded 727 others", with children, women, and health workers among the casualties. However, as per an AFP report citing a Lebanon minister, 274 people, including 21 children, have died in the strikes. Israeli strikes on Lebanon On Monday, Israel said it hit more than 300 Hezbollah sites in dozens of strikes. Also read | ‘Israel does not seek war, but we have duty, right to defend our people’: President Herzog The nation has also warned Lebanon citizens to steer clear of Hezbollah sites. In a statement, Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari told the people to avoid potential targets linked to Hezbollah, and said that the as strikes would "go on for the near future". He warned that the Israeli military "will engage in (more) extensive and precise strikes against terror targets which have been embedded widely throughout Lebanon", and told civilians to "immediately move out of harm's way for their own safety". (With inputs from agencies)

Lebanon PM slams Israel’s ‘war of extermination’ as death toll from strikes rises to 274

Watch this week's West Asia Post as Ghadi Francis takes you to the heart of a border conflict between Israel and Lebanon. For more such stories, keep watching the West Asia post with Ghadi Francis every Friday at 8:30 PM, only on WION.

The West Asia Post: Lebanon-Israel Border Conflict, An Exclusive Ground Report from the Blue Line