The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns in the strongest terms the killing of at least three journalists in Lebanon and Gaza by Israel in one day, at least one of which was in a targeted attack.
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At least three journalists were killed in Gaza and Lebanon by Israel within a single day, prompting strong condemnation from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), which called for urgent international action and independent investigations.
The victims were identified as Mohammed Samir Washah, a correspondent for Al Jazeera Mubasher, Ghada Dayekh of Sawt Al-Farah, and Suzan Khalil, a presenter affiliated with Al-Manar TV and Al-Nour Radio.
According to CPJ, Washah was killed in Gaza City when his vehicle was struck by a drone, while Dayekh and Khalil were killed in separate strikes in Lebanon. The incidents occurred amid intensified military activity across the region despite recent ceasefire announcements.
CPJ described the killings as part of a broader pattern of attacks on journalists, warning of a “worsening climate of impunity” and a failure to uphold international humanitarian law. The organization said deliberate or indiscriminate targeting of journalists — who are considered civilians — may constitute war crimes.
“Journalists are being killed at a pace and scale that should shock the conscience of the world,” said Sara Qudah, CPJ’s regional director, urging accountability at all levels.
The watchdog noted that the ongoing conflict has become the deadliest for journalists on record, with at least 260 media workers killed since 2023. Additional fatalities have been reported in Lebanon in recent weeks, further raising concerns about press safety.
CPJ reiterated its call for independent and impartial investigations into the killings and urged the international community to take immediate steps to protect journalists operating in conflict zones.
The latest deaths highlight growing risks for media professionals in the region, as violence continues to threaten press freedom and the ability to report from the ground.
