Israel airstrike k!lls 5 Al Jazeera journalists in Gaza

An Israeli airstrike in Gaza on Sunday night killed five Al Jazeera journalists, including one of the network’s most prominent correspondents, Anas al-Sharif.

The attack, which also claimed the lives of two other civilians, targeted al-Sharif and his colleagues — Mohammed Qreiqeh (correspondent) and camera operators Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal, and Moamen Aliwa — near a hospital gate in Gaza City.

Shortly after the strike, the Israeli military claimed responsibility, alleging that al-Sharif was a senior Hamas operative who posed as a journalist while leading rocket attacks against civilians and troops. Israeli officials said the accusation was based on intelligence and documents recovered in Gaza.

Al Jazeera rejected the claims, insisting al-Sharif was an accredited reporter who had become “the only voice” bringing the realities of Gaza to the world since October 2023. The network said the journalists were not at the front lines but were targeted in their tent.

Since the start of the conflict, Israel has barred foreign journalists from freely entering Gaza, leaving news organisations dependent on local correspondents.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) condemned the killings, noting that al-Sharif had been repeatedly threatened and warning that he was a vital source of information from Gaza. According to CPJ, at least 186 journalists have been killed in Gaza since 2023.

In July, Al Jazeera accused the Israeli military of mounting a sustained campaign to discredit and target its reporters.

A final message, pre-written by al-Sharif and posted on his X account after his death, read:

“If these words reach you, know that Israel has succeeded in killing me and silencing my voice. Do not forget Gaza… and do not forget me in your prayers.”

(Al-Jazeera)