Lebanon: Five journalists and media workers killed since the war started in Gaza

[UPDATED 09.10.2024] At least five journalists lost their lives in southern Lebanon due to Israeli bombardments since the start of the war in Gaza, Palestine, on 7 October 2023. A sixth media worker died from a heart attack after the media crew was assaulted while on duty near the southern city of Sidon in southern Lebanon. 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 8 October, driver and long-time collaborator of Italy's public broadcaster RAI Ahmad Akil Hamzeh diedfrom a heart attack, after Tg3 media crew was assaulted near Sidon, in southern Lebanon. First an armed man and then a group of people attacked the group of journalists while they were filming in the town of Jiyeh. Italian correspondent Lucia Goracci reportedthe events in the news. The death of Ahmad Akil Hamzeh is documented in the IFJ Killed List as an accidental killing.

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

On 24 September 2024, Al Mayadeen Media Network reportedthe killing of journalist Hadi Al-Sayed. 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.

On 21 November 2023, reporter Farah Omarand cameraman Rabih Me'mari, working for Lebanese channel Al Mayadeen TV, were killedin an Israeli strike in the town of Tayr Harfa, in southern Lebanon, Al Mayadeen TV reportedat noon. The journalists did their last live broadcasting connection near the Lebanese-Israeli border in the morning.

On 13 October 2023, Reuters video journalist Issam Abdallah was killedby an Israeli strike in southern Lebanon, while providing video signal for broadcasters. Six other journalists, including from Al Jazeera, Agence France-Presse and Reuters, were wounded in the same incident near Alma al-Shaab town, close to the Israeli border. The IFJ condemned the killing and called on the authorities to launch a thorough investigation.

The president of the Lebanese Journalists' Syndicate Joseph Al-Qasif said: "We mourn the loss of our colleagues and extend our deepest condolences to their beloved families, friends and colleagues [...] 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."