Five Al Jazeera Journalists Killed in Gaza Airstrike, Israel Alleges One Linked to Hamas

At Least Five Al Jazeera Journalists Killed in Israeli Strike Near Gaza’s Al-Shifa Hospital.

At least five Al Jazeera journalists were killed in an Israeli airstrike near the Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. The victims included correspondents Anas al-Sharif and Mohammed Qreiqeh, as well as cameramen Ibrahim Zaher, Moamen Aliwa, and Mohammed Noufal, according to the broadcaster.

The strike targeted a press tent outside the hospital’s main gate, killing seven people in total, Al Jazeera reported.

Shortly after the attack, the Israeli military acknowledged targeting Anas al-Sharif, labeling him a “terrorist” and accusing him of serving as the head of a Hamas terrorist cell responsible for rocket attacks against Israeli civilians and troops.

Anas al-Sharif, 28, had been actively reporting from Gaza City in the days leading up to the strike. His last social media posts, apparently made just before his death, described intensified Israeli bombardment. A message posted from his account after the attack read:
“If these words of mine reach you, know that Israel has succeeded in killing me and silencing my voice.”

This attack marks the latest in a series of incidents targeting journalists amid the 22-month conflict in Gaza, which has claimed the lives of around 200 media workers, according to watchdog groups.

Al Jazeera’s Statement

• “Al Jazeera journalist Anas al-Sharif was killed alongside four colleagues in a targeted Israeli attack on a tent housing journalists in Gaza City,” said the Qatar-based broadcaster.
• The channel confirmed the deaths of Mohammed Qreiqeh and cameramen Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal, and Moamen Aliwa in the same strike.
• In a heartfelt broadcast, an Al Jazeera anchor struggled to hold back tears while reporting the loss of colleagues.

Israel’s Response

The Israeli military confirmed carrying out the strike and accused al-Sharif of posing as a journalist while leading a Hamas terrorist cell. The IDF (Israel Defense Forces) statement on Telegram read:
“Anas al-Sharif served as the head of a terrorist cell in Hamas and was responsible for facilitating rocket attacks against Israeli civilians and troops.”

Background on Anas al-Sharif

Al-Sharif was one of Al Jazeera’s most prominent correspondents reporting daily from Gaza. Shortly before the attack, he posted videos and messages documenting intense Israeli bombardment of Gaza City.

In July, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) condemned Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee for online attacks accusing al-Sharif of being a Hamas operative. CPJ called for his protection at the time.

Following the strike, CPJ expressed shock and called for accountability:
“Journalists are civilians and must never be targeted. Israel’s pattern of labeling journalists as militants without credible evidence raises serious concerns about respect for press freedom,” said CPJ Regional Director Sara Qudah.

The Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate condemned the attack as a “bloody crime” amounting to assassination.

Al Jazeera and Israel have had a fraught relationship for years. Israeli authorities have banned the channel within Israel and raided its offices amid the current conflict. Qatar, which partially funds Al Jazeera, also hosts an office for Hamas’s political leadership and has served as a venue for indirect talks between Israel and the group.