Lebanese press pays another heavy toll in ongoing Zionist attacks on the voice of truth.
Following the assault on journalists last October 13, resulting in the martyrdom of photographer Issam Al-Abdullah and injuries to fellow journalists, today’s attack on a journalist gathering point at the intersection of Tair Harfa and Al-Jebbain in southern Lebanon claimed the lives of Al-Mayadeen channel correspondent Farah Omar, photographer Rabei Al-Maamari, and civilian Hussein Aqeel.
The relentless targeting continues to silence voices and deepen the impact on the press community.
Al-Mayadeen Network announced the martyrdom of its crew members in south Lebanon, Farah Omar and Rabih Me’mari, who got targeted in the drone strike.
“Israel” deliberately targeted #AlMayadeen‘s correspondent, Farah Omar, and cameraman Rabih Me’mari, killing them both after they had just ended their live broadcast from South #Lebanon. pic.twitter.com/EOvyiRkiM9
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) November 21, 2023
Al-Manar correspondent in south Lebanon Samer Al-Hajj Ali said an Israeli drone fired two missiles at the location where Al-Mayadeen crew was gathering.
Al-Hajj Ali said Al-Manar crew was present near the area where Al-Mayadeen journalists were, stressing that the Israeli drone deliberately targeted Omar and Me’mari.
Another civilian, Hussein Akil was martyred in the strike, National News Agency (NNA) reported.
In retaliation to the targeted attacks, the Islamic Resistance took decisive action on Tuesday, hours after the journalists got martyred .
The resistance fighters targeted a force affiliated with Israeli military intelligence, identified as the ‘Military Assembly,’ situated in a house on the outskirts of Al-Manara settlement. Executing the operation with precision, two guided missiles were deployed, leading to casualties among its members.
Fourth Martyr
Earlier on Tuesday, an Israeli strike killed an elderly woman and injured her granddaughter in the southern border town of Kfar Kila.
Al-Manar correspondnet in south Lebanon Ali Shoeib identified the martyr as Laeka Sarhan and her injured granddaughter as Alaa Al-Qassem, adding that other grandchildren of Sarhan survived the Israeli strike.
مراسل المنار :
نجاة عدد من الأطفال من أحفاد الشهيدة لائقة سرحان كانوا في المنزل الذي قصفه العدو الصهيوني في بلدة كفركلا و الذي أدى أيضا إلى جرح شقيقتهم الاء . pic.twitter.com/8t6YhqbWYn
— علي شعيب || Ali Shoeib 🇱🇧 (@alishoeib1970) November 21, 2023
Our correspondent also reported a number of Israeli strikes and artillery shelling on border towns of Ayta Al-Shaab, Yaroun, Rub Al-Thlathin, Khiam, Kfar Shouba and Odeisseh.
Hezbollah Threatens
For its part, Hezbollah firmly denounced the targeted killing of Lebanese journalists and civilians, stressing that the Israeli crime won’t go unanswered.
“The continued direct targeting of media professionals and the killing of journalists reflect the enemy’s extreme unease with the pivotal role played by the media, which through considerable efforts and sacrifices, has successfully shifted public opinion in favor of the oppressed Palestinian people against the murderous Israeli enemy,” Hezbollah said, in a statement released by the party’s Media Relations Office.
“We assert that this aggression and the accompanying martyrdom of fellow citizens will not go unanswered from the Mujahideen of the Islamic Resistance, who are engaging the enemy in the field with the most remarkable heroism and redemption,” the statement, carried by Al-Manar, read.
Wide Condemnations
For his part, Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati expressed his strongest condemnation of the Israeli attack which targeted the press crew on Tuesday.
“This attack proves once again that there are no limits to Israeli crimes, and that its only goal is to silence the media that exposes its crimes and attacks,” Mikati said, extending his deepest condolences to Al-Mayadeen news network and to the families of the two martyrs.
Caretaker Information Minister Ziad Makary also offered condolences to Al-Mayadeen and to Lebanese journalists.
Hezbollah MP Hasan Fadlallah stressed that the “resistance’s formulas are very clear,” vowing that Hezbollah won’t be lenient with the Israeli targeted killings of civilians.
“When the Israeli enemy targets civilians, we become more determined to defend our country,” the Hezbollah lawmaker added, in remarks carried by Al-Manar.
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri condemned the attack, saying: “On this year’s Independence Day anniversary, mere moments or even eternities of silence seem inadequate to mourn the martyrs and the humanity crushed by the Israeli machinery of death and extermination—from Gaza and across Palestine to southern Lebanon. Today, we remember the sacrifices of the latest Lebanese media martyrs, Farah Omar, Rabih Me’mari, and Hussein Aqeel, following in the footsteps of the earlier martyr, Issam Al-Abdullah. These courageous individuals have baptized the ideals of independence and national will with their blood, defending the truth, the essence of true independence, which can only be safeguarded through sacrifice.”
President Berri concluded, “Mercy to the martyrs, and may God protect Lebanon and its defenders of independence—the army, the people, and the resistance.”
Head of the Free Patriotic Movement, MP Gebran Bassil, expressed on the ‘X’ platform, “Bombing a church, the residence of a Lebanese representative, and unarmed civilians, coupled with the direct targeting and killing of media professionals—these are war crimes! What more must Israel do to drag Lebanon into war? It is fortunate that awareness and diligence align with valor, martyrdom, and resistance. Salutations to the souls of all the martyrs, including the most recent additions, Farah and Rabie from Al-Mayadeen station. My heartfelt condolences to Al-Mayadeen and their families.”
The Lebanese Audiovisual Media Workers Union, in a mournful statement, paid tribute to the two martyred colleagues. The union condemned the treacherous and blatant Israeli attack, expressing concern over the international support that provides an unjustified cover for the Israeli enemy.
The statement highlighted that without this support, the enemy would not persist in its crimes, emphasizing the role of countries and organizations claiming to champion human rights—a facade that often contributes to encouraging Zionist aggression and heinous acts.”
Al-Manar, Al-Nour Condemn
Lebanese Media Group (Al-Manar TV and Al-Nour Radio) also condemned the Israeli crime. In a statement, the group referred to the two journalists as Martyrs All the Way to Al-Quds.
“We voice sympathy with all journalists in such hard conditions,” the group’s statement read.
“The brazen assault on press freedom underscores the urgent responsibility of international organizations, spearheaded by the United Nations, to take a unequivocal stance condemning this flagrant attack on the operational liberty of press teams, whose endeavors are safeguarded by international conventions,” it added.
“Such actions will not waver the resolve and commitment of media professionals who persist in advancing their work while upholding their rights and values. We underscore the imperative to shield this media entity and its workforce, affirming our dedication to press on in the face of such challenges. Our commitment to journalistic principles remains unyielding,” the statement ended up saying.
Omar’s Father
Meanwhile, Father of Al-Mayadeen martyred reporter Farah Omar saluted pro-resistance journalists in Gaza and south Lebanon, calling on them to go ahead with their mission of resistance.
He conveyed a message of resilience to journalists in southern Lebanon and Gaza through Al-Manar Channel, emphasizing that their work constitutes a unique form of resistance.
Omar expressed his pride in the path of resistance, stating, “Every martyr who falls gives additional momentum, and we are steadfastly following that path.”
The Last Message
In her final message during live coverage on Al-Mayadeen TV approximately an hour before her martyrdom, the late martyr, Omar, shared updates on the recent developments in the southern region.
Source: Al-Manar English Website
