UPDATE - Israeli strike targets hotel housing journalists south of Beirut, killing 3

UPDATES WITH STATEMENT BY LEBANESE MINISTER OF INFORMATION; EDITS THROUGH

By Ali Semerci

ISTANBUL (AA) - Israeli warplanes conducted an air raid early Friday on a hotel housing journalists in the south of the Lebanese capital Beirut, killing three of them, state-run media reported.

Lebanon’s National News Agency said the fighter jets targeted a hotel in the town of Hasbaya where the journalists were staying.

Initial reports identified the three journalists as Al-Manar TV cameraman Wissam Qassem, Al-Mayadeen TV cameraman Ghassan Najjar, and Al-Mayadeen technician Mohammad Reda.

Several journalists and photographers from other channels were also injured.

Lebanon's Minister of Information Ziad Makary stated that “the Israeli enemy waited for the journalists' nightly break to strike them while they were asleep.”

“This is an assassination with premeditated intent as there were 18 journalists present representing seven media institutions,” he added.

The minister emphasized that “this is a war crime.”

Israel has mounted a huge air campaign in Lebanon since last month against what it claims are Hezbollah targets in an escalation from year-long cross-border warfare between Israel and the Lebanese group since the start of Israel’s brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip.

Israel expanded the conflict this year by launching an incursion into southern Lebanon on Oct. 1.

* Writing by Ikram Kouachi.