Ashraf Wani’s account from Lebanon captures the lived reality of reporting from an active war zone, where uncertainty and danger become constant companions. Over 15 days covering the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, he describes how even moments of silence carry tension, as the threat of shelling can return at any time.
Each day began with a basic check for survival—messages from colleagues, missed calls from family, and updates on overnight strikes. Reporting required immediate readiness, with protective gear like helmets and flak jackets offering only limited reassurance. Unlike civilians seeking safety, journalists often moved toward danger, trying to document events in real time despite collapsing communication networks, destroyed roads, and rapidly changing conditions.
The act of reporting itself became a balance between instinct and responsibility. The sound of incoming fire forced split-second decisions, yet the need to document events kept the camera rolling. Over time, fear shifted from an overwhelming emotion to a functional awareness that guided movement and judgment. What left the deepest impact, however, was not the personal risk but the human cost—displaced families, traumatised children, and communities forced to adapt to violence.
Wani also recounts marking Eid in the middle of conflict. He managed to offer prayers at a relatively safer mosque in central Beirut and later searched for a place to eat after a month of fasting during Ramadan. Even routine acts like finding a meal or accommodation were shaped by the war, with many hotels occupied by displaced people and some previously targeted in strikes.
His experience highlights how war reporting extends far beyond what is visible on television. Behind each broadcast lies constant risk, logistical challenges, and the psychological weight of witnessing destruction. The narrative underscores that journalism in such environments is not only about delivering information but about documenting reality firsthand, often at high personal cost.
