An Israeli shell fell on a gathering of international journalists who were covering clashes along the border in southern Lebanon on Friday, resulting in the death of a Reuters video photographer and injuring six other journalists.

A photographer from the Associated Press at the scene observed the body of Reuters photographer Issam Abdullah and the six injured, some of whom were transported to hospitals in ambulances. Photos from the scene showed a charred vehicle.

Israel is carrying out sporadic shelling of the border area with Lebanon in response to rockets, gunfire, drones, and an explosion that damaged the security barrier.

The Israeli army stated that it is targeting Hezbollah positions and responding to sources of gunfire.

The military told journalists that it is "very sorry" for the journalist's death but did not accept responsibility, and Reuters News Agency stated: "We are deeply saddened to inform you of the death of video photographer Issam Abdullah." The agency added that Abdullah was part of the Reuters team in southern Lebanon that was providing live coverage of the events.

Reuters reported that two of its journalists, Thaer Al-Sudani and Maher Nazih, were injured in the shelling of the border area.

Qatar's Al Jazeera network reported that among the injured were also two of its staff members, Eli Barakhia and reporter Carmen Jukhdar.

International news agency Agence France-Presse stated that two of its journalists were among the injured, but the agency did not disclose their names.

The head of the Lebanese caretaker government, Najib Mikati, condemned the Israeli shelling targeting journalists “during its aggression on southern Lebanon” in a statement.

At the United Nations, Secretary-General António Guterres expressed his condolences to the family of the slain journalist. He stated, "Many journalists pay with their lives to bring the truth to everyone."

Spokesman Stéphane Dujarric earlier said that the international organization hopes to conduct an investigation into what happened. He added, "Journalists must be protected and allowed to do their work."

Later on Friday, dozens of journalists and human rights activists residing in Lebanon gathered outside the National Museum in Beirut to protest Abdullah's death and the injury of journalists.

Reuters stated: "We are urgently seeking more information, are working with authorities in the area, and are supporting Issam's family and colleagues." "Our deepest condolences to those affected, and our thoughts are with their families during this difficult time."

The shelling occurred during exchanges of gunfire along the Lebanese-Israeli border between Israeli forces and members of the Lebanese Hezbollah organization.

The Lebanese-Israeli border has witnessed sporadic violence since the devastating attack carried out by the Palestinian Hamas movement on civilians and soldiers in southern Israel on Saturday.

Journalists from around the world are flocking to Lebanon out of fear of the potential outbreak of war between Hezbollah and Israel.