Israeli airstrikes targeted Damascus early Tuesday morning, resulting in the deaths of three civilians, including journalist Safaa Ahmad, an anchor for Syrian state television, in addition to causing nine injuries and significant damage to property, the Syrian Arab News Agency reported on Tuesday.
Syrian air defense systems responded to the attack, intercepting several missiles.
The journalist’s death is the first killing of a journalist in Syria in 2024, highlighting the ongoing dangers faced by media professionals.
Ahmad’s killing follows the death of another Palestinian journalist in Gaza on Monday and two journalists in southern Lebanon on September 24.
The Syrian Journalists’ Union (SJU) is in mourning for Ahmad, calling for international condemnation of the violence against journalists.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) condemned the attack and called for accountability for those responsible.
IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger criticized Israel’s actions, saying “Israel’s shocking disregard for human life, and the journalism community in particular, has no limits. We condemn the killing of journalist Safaa Ahmad and send our deepest condolences to her beloved ones. This terrible killing adds Syria to the list of countries, together with Palestine and Lebanon, in which Israel has slaughtered journalists since 7 October 2023.”
As of October 1, CPJ’s early investigations show that at least 116 journalists and media workers have been killed since the war began a year ago, making it the deadliest time for journalists since the organization began collecting data in 1992.