Israeli forces have killed five Al Jazeera journalists, including correspondent Anas al-Sharif, in a targeted strike on their media tent outside al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. The Israeli military claimed responsibility for the attack, falsely accusing al-Sharif of leading a Hamas armed wing unit. Alongside al-Sharif, cameramen Ibrahim Zaher, Moamen Aliwa, Mohammed Qreiqeh, and their assistant Mohammed Noufal were also killed.
Anas al-Sharif, 28, was one of Gaza’s most prominent journalists, reporting on the Israeli bombardment despite knowing the risks to his life. The Gaza Health Ministry’s director general, Munir al-Bursh, called al-Sharif and Qreiqeh “the eyes of Gaza, reporting the truth from the rubble,” and said they were constantly threatened by the Israeli military. “Our grief for Anas al-Sharif and Mohammed Qreiqeh is grief for the truth and the free voice,” he said.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) expressed shock over the killings, condemning Israel’s practice of labeling journalists as militants without credible evidence. Sara Qudah, CPJ’s regional director, said, “Journalists are civilians and must never be targeted. Those responsible for these killings must be held accountable.” The CPJ had earlier warned that Israel was conducting a smear campaign against al-Sharif, possibly as a precursor to justify his assassination.
The US-based National Press Club also voiced sadness and concern. Its president, Mike Balsamo, said, “The killing of a journalist while working to inform the public is a loss felt far beyond one newsroom.” He called for a “thorough and transparent” investigation and stressed that “all parties in conflict zones must honor their obligations under international law to protect reporters.”
The Palestinian mission to the UN condemned the killings as deliberate assassinations. It described al-Sharif and Qreiqeh as among the “last remaining journalists” in Gaza who have “systematically and dutifully exposed and documented Israel’s genocide and starvation.” The mission stated, “As Israel continues to ethnically cleanse Gaza, its enemy remains the truth: the brave journalists exposing its heinous crimes.”
UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric expressed condolences and emphasized that media workers everywhere must be able to work freely and safely. “It is essential that journalists be allowed to freely access all areas of Gaza and to independently report on the situation there,” he said.
Al Jazeera Media Network strongly condemned the targeted assassination of their journalists, calling it a blatant and premeditated attack on press freedom. The network accused the Israeli forces of deliberately targeting the media tent opposite al-Shifa Medical Complex in Gaza. Al Jazeera described the attack as an attempt to silence the voices exposing the ongoing destruction, starvation, and suffering caused by the Israeli assault.
The network said al-Sharif and his colleagues were among the last journalists reporting from within Gaza, providing live, unfiltered coverage of the war’s impact while many international media were barred. Despite repeated threats and attacks on their journalists, al-Sharif and his team continued to document the realities faced by Gaza’s people.
Al Jazeera called on the international community to take urgent action to stop the killings and hold those responsible accountable. They warned that impunity only encourages further oppression and silencing of those who bear witness to the truth.
