“We are urgently seeking more information, working with authorities in the region, and supporting Issam’s family and colleagues. Our thoughts are with his family at this terrible time,” Reuters said in a statement
Reuters journalist Issam Abdullah was killed by an Israeli airstrike in the Lebanese village of Alma al Shaab on Friday, the media outlet confirmed in a statement. Two other Reuters journalists were injured when their vehicle was struck and are seeking medical care.
“We are deeply saddened to learn that our videographer, Issam Abdallah, has been killed. Issam was part of a Reuters crew in southern Lebanon who was providing a live signal,” a Reuters spokesperson said in a statement. “We are urgently seeking more information, working with authorities in the region, and supporting Issam’s family and colleagues. Our thoughts are with his family at this terrible time.”
They added: “Reuters journalists Thaer Al-Sudani and Maher Nazeh also sustained injuries and are seeking medical care.”
Video of the airstrike circulating on social media showed a loud explosion before smoke filled the screen.
At least 10 deaths of journalists covering the Israel-Hamas conflict have been recorded, according to non-profit Committee to Protect Journalists.
The Israel-Hamas war broke out on Saturday when Hamas militants entered Israeli homes to capture hostages and attacked an outdoor music festival, leaving dozens dead and taking others to Gaza. Many families of Israeli citizens who attended the festival have reported their loved ones missing and are desperately asking for help from the Israeli government. The Israeli Defense Forces have been bombarding Gaza in response to the terrorist attack, and on Thursday, the nation’s military told people living in northern Gaza to vacate the region, which is home to over one million Palestinians.
Israel said on Thursday that 1,300 people were killed as a result of the offensive from Hamas, with over 3,000 wounded. The Gaza Ministry of Health said on Friday that the death toll in Gaza is nearly 1,800, with over 7,000 more wounded.