Lebanon: Israeli airstrike kills two journalists in the south of the country

[UPDATED 25.09.2024] At least two journalists have been killed by Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon since 23 September, which has become the deadliest day for civilians in the country since 2006. A total of five journalists lost their lives in Lebanon due to Israeli bombardments since the start of the war in Gaza, Palestine, on 7 October 2023. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate, the Lebanese Journalists’ Syndicate (LJS), in condemning the killings and calling on the authorities to launch an immediate investigation. The IFJ reiterates that impunity for Israel cannot continue and that those responsible for the massacres of journalists must be tried and punished before the International Criminal Court.

An Israeli airstrike targeted the southern Lebanese on 24 September 2024. Credit: Kawnat Haju/AFP

On 24 September, Al Manar TV cameraman Kamel Karaki was killed in an Israeli air raid targeting the town of Qantara in South Lebanon. Karki had worked for twenty-five years in the channel. 

The killing of journalist Hadi Al-Sayed was reported by his employer Al Mayadeen Media Network on 24 September. According to the media, an Israeli airstrike hit the home of the young journalist on 23 September in the town of Borj Rahhal, in southern Lebanon. He was transferred to the hospital in Sidon to be treated for the serious injuries he sustained in his head and then underwent surgery. However, nothing could be done to save his life and he became the fourth journalist to be killed by Israel in Lebanon since 7 October.

 

 

 

The president of the Lebanese Journalists’ Syndicate Joseph Al-Qasif said: “We mourn the loss of Al Mayadeen journalist Hadi Al-Sayed and extend our deepest condolences to his beloved family, friends and colleagues at Al Mayadeen [...] The union condemns Israel’s brutal aggression that claimed the lives of many and led to the displacement of thousands, and laments that journalists and media workers have become victims of the ongoing massacre. We demand accountability for those responsible for the unfolding bloodshed”.

IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger said: “The number of journalists killed in this conflict defies belief. Whether killed deliberately, or as collateral damage, it represents a shocking disregard for human life, and the journalistic community in particular. Impunity for Israel cannot continue and the perpetrators of crimes against journalists be tried and punished before international criminal courts.”

For more information, please contact IFJ on +32 2 235 22 16

The IFJ represents more than 600,000 journalists in 146 countries

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