Lebanon: Israeli airstrike kills Al Mayadeen journalist in the south of the country

Journalist Hadi Al-Sayed, who worked for the Lebanese TV channel Al Mayadeen, succumbed to his injuries on 23 September after his home in southern Lebanon was hit by an Israeli airstrike, in the deadliest day for the country since 2006. Al-Sayed is the fourth journalist to be killed by Israel in Lebanon since the war in Gaza, Palestine started on 7 October 2023. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate, the Lebanese Journalists' Syndicate (LJS), in condemning the killing of Al-Sayed and calls 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.

Al Mayadeen journalist Hadi Al-Sayed succumbed to his injuries on 23 September after his home in southern Lebanon was hit by an Israeli airstrike. Credit: Al Mayadeen Media Network

The killing of journalist Al-Sayed was reported by his employer Al Mayadeen Media Network on 24 September. According to the media, an Israeli airstrike hitthe 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."