In a series of deadly airstrikes, Israel has targeted media outlets in southern Lebanon, resulting in the deaths of two prominent Lebanese journalists. Photojournalist Kamel Karaki, working for Al-Manar television, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Wednesday, while Hadi al-Sayed, a journalist for the Lebanese TV network Al Mayadeen, lost his life in a separate attack on Monday. The strikes occurred amid an intensifying Israeli military offensive that has claimed more than 500 lives.

Kamel Karaki was killed in Qantara, a town in southern Lebanon, as al-Manar confirmed his death in a public statement. Just a day earlier, Hadi al-Sayed was killed during an Israeli airstrike that targeted his home in southern Lebanon. Al Mayadeen Media Network expressed their sorrow on social media, stating: “We mourn our colleague at Al-Mayadeen Online, Hadi Al-Sayed, who was martyred in an Israeli airstrike that targeted his home in southern Lebanon.”

The escalating violence has also left another journalist wounded. Fadi Boudaya, editor-in-chief of Maraya International, was injured when an Israeli airstrike hit near his home in Al-Bekka. Boudaya was delivering a live report for Iraq’s iNews channel on the ongoing conflict when the strike occurred, causing moderate injuries from shattered glass.

The deaths of Karaki and al-Sayed have brought the total number of journalists killed in Lebanon to five since October 7. Among those previously killed was Reuters photographer Issam Abdallah, who died on October 13 after an Israeli tank fired on a group of journalists in Alma el-Shaab.

The killing of media workers has drawn widespread condemnation from international press organizations. Anthony Bellanger, General Secretary of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), voiced his outrage: “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. Impunity for Israel cannot continue, and the perpetrators of crimes against journalists must be brought before international criminal courts.”

Lebanese Journalists’ Syndicate President Joseph Al-Qasif also expressed profound grief, stating: “We mourn the loss of Al Mayadeen journalist Hadi Al-Sayed and extend our deepest condolences to his family and colleagues. The union condemns Israel’s brutal aggression, which has not only claimed innocent lives but also targeted the press. Journalists and media workers are victims of this massacre, and we demand accountability.”

As Israeli airstrikes continue to target critical infrastructure and civilian areas in Lebanon, the international community is calling for urgent intervention to protect the lives of civilians and journalists caught in the crossfire. The targeted nature of these attacks on media personnel has raised alarms, highlighting the perilous conditions under which journalists operate in conflict zones.