GAZA CITY – Five Al Jazeera journalists, including prominent correspondent Anas al-Sharif, were killed in a targeted Israeli strike on a media tent in Gaza City on Sunday, the Qatar-based broadcaster announced.
The Israeli military confirmed the attack, labelling al-Sharif a “terrorist” affiliated with Hamas whilst defending the strike as a legitimate military operation.
Al-Sharif (28) was one of the channel’s most recognisable faces reporting from Gaza, providing daily coverage from the besieged territory. The well-known Arabic correspondent had been reporting extensively from northern Gaza throughout the 22-month conflict.
The other victims were identified as Mohammed Qreiqeh and camera operators Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal and Moamen Aliwa. All five were killed when the journalists’ tent outside the main gate of a Gaza City hospital was struck.
“Al Jazeera journalist Anas al-Sharif has been killed alongside four colleagues in a targeted Israeli attack on a tent housing journalists in Gaza City,” the broadcaster said in a statement.
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) confirmed it had carried out the attack, describing al-Sharif as a terrorist “who posed as a journalist”.
“A short while ago, in Gaza City, the IDF struck the terrorist Anas Al-Sharif, who posed as a journalist for the Al Jazeera network,” the military said on Telegram.
“Anas Al-Sharif served as the head of a terrorist cell in the Hamas terrorist organisation and was responsible for advancing rocket attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF troops,” it added.
Pattern of media targeting
The attack represents the latest incident in what media watchdogs describe as systematic targeting of journalists during the Gaza conflict. According to Reporters Without Borders, more than 200 media workers have been killed since the war began, including several Al Jazeera journalists.
In July, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) had issued a statement calling for al-Sharif’s protection, accusing the Israeli military’s Arabic-language spokesperson of intensifying online attacks against the reporter.
Following Sunday’s attack, CPJ Regional Director Sara Qudah said the organisation was “appalled” by the journalists’ deaths.
“Israel’s pattern of labelling journalists as militants without providing credible evidence raises serious questions about its intent and respect for press freedom,” Qudah said. “Journalists are civilians and must never be targeted. Those responsible for these killings must be held accountable.”
Hours before his death, al-Sharif had posted messages on social media describing “intense, concentrated Israeli bombardment” on Gaza City. One of his final posts included video footage showing nearby Israeli strikes hitting the city.
The attack came following a press conference by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday, where the premier defended approving a new offensive in Gaza.
International condemnation
The Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate condemned what it described as a “bloody crime” of assassination.
Israel and Al Jazeera have maintained a contentious relationship for years, with Israeli authorities banning the channel in the country and raiding its offices following the latest war in Gaza.
Qatar, which partly funds Al Jazeera, has hosted an office for the Hamas political leadership for years and been a frequent venue for indirect talks between Israel and the militant group.
The targeted strike comes as Israel announced plans to expand its military operations in Gaza. Netanyahu said on Sunday that the new offensive was set to target remaining Hamas strongholds in the territory.
He also announced plans to allow more foreign journalists to report inside Gaza with military escorts, as he outlined his vision for victory in the territory.
However, a UN official warned the Security Council that Israel’s plans to control Gaza City risked “another calamity” with far-reaching consequences.
“If these plans are implemented, they will likely trigger another calamity in Gaza, reverberating across the region and causing further forced displacement, killings, and destruction,” UN Assistant Secretary General Miroslav Jenca told the Security Council.
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