Five Al Jazeera journalists were among seven people killed in an Israeli airstrike on Gaza on Sunday night, according to the network.
The victims included prominent correspondent Anas al-Sharif, who had been reporting from inside Gaza since the conflict began in October 2023. Others killed were fellow correspondent Mohammed Qreiqeh and three camera operators — Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal, and Moamen Aliwa.
Israeli forces later claimed responsibility for the strike, accusing al-Sharif of being a senior member of the Hamas terrorist organisation who posed as a journalist. They alleged he led a Hamas cell and coordinated rocket attacks against Israeli civilians and troops.
Al Jazeera rejected the Israeli claims, describing al-Sharif as an accredited journalist and “the only voice” documenting events in Gaza for the global audience. The network said the journalists were targeted in their tent and not near the front lines.
Since the war began, Israel has barred foreign media from freely entering Gaza, forcing international outlets to rely heavily on local journalists.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said al-Sharif had been at high risk, warning last month that he was a key news source for global audiences. CPJ reports that 186 journalists have been killed in Gaza since 2023.
Al Jazeera has accused the Israeli military of waging a sustained campaign against its journalists, calling it “a dangerous attempt to justify targeting media workers.”
Before his death, al-Sharif posted on X (formerly Twitter) that there was “non-stop bombing” in his area. A pre-written statement later published from his account read:
“This is my last will and testament. If these words of mine 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.”
TRTWorld TV