Al Jazeera’s Anas al-Sharif Killed in Israeli Strike Targeting Gaza Journalists

Al Jazeera journalist Anas al-Sharif has been killed along with four of his colleagues in what the network calls a targeted Israeli attack on a tent housing reporters near al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.

The strike, which took place late Sunday evening, killed seven people in total, including correspondent Mohammed Qreiqeh and camera operators Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal, and Moamen Aliwa. The tent was located just outside the hospital’s main gate.

Al-Sharif’s Final Moments

Moments before his death, the 28-year-old reporter posted on X about heavy Israeli bombardment, describing “fire belts” striking eastern and southern Gaza City. In his last recorded video, loud explosions echoed as flashes lit the night sky.

In a farewell message written earlier this year, to be released if he was killed, al-Sharif reflected on his work:

“I never hesitated to convey the truth as it is… hoping that God would witness those who remained silent and those who accepted our killing.”

He also expressed deep sorrow at leaving behind his wife, Bayan, and not seeing his young children, Salah and Sham, grow up.

Al Jazeera Condemns ‘Premeditated Attack’

Al Jazeera Media Network strongly condemned the killings, calling them a deliberate assault on press freedom.

“The order to assassinate Anas Al Sharif… is a desperate attempt to silence the voices exposing the seizure and occupation of Gaza,” the network said.

The statement urged the international community to take decisive action to protect journalists and hold Israel accountable.

Israeli Allegations Disputed

The Israeli military claimed al-Sharif was a Hamas operative, alleging it had documents proving his involvement in planning rocket attacks. However, human rights groups and colleagues insist there is no evidence to support this claim.

Muhammed Shehada of the Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor stated:

“His daily routine was standing in front of a camera from morning to evening.”

Last month, UN special rapporteur Irene Khan warned of increasing threats against al-Sharif, accusing the Israeli army of making unsubstantiated claims to justify targeting journalists.

A Deadly Pattern

Since October 2023, Israel’s assault on Gaza has killed more than 200 journalists and media workers, according to rights groups. Al Jazeera says its reporters have been systematically targeted through airstrikes and smear campaigns.

Al Jazeera correspondent Hani Mahmoud, who was just one block away from the strike, said reporting on his friend’s death was the most difficult moment of his 22 months covering the war:

“They were killed because they showed the world the truth about Gaza’s suffering.”