Israeli Strike Kills Five Journalists in Gaza

Five journalists working for Al Jazeera, including two correspondents and three cameramen, were killed in an Israeli airstrike targeting their press tent in Gaza City on Sunday, the Qatar-based news network confirmed.

The Israeli military acknowledged the attack, stating it targeted Anas al-Sharif, a reporter it described as a “terrorist” affiliated with Hamas. 

“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 Qatar-based broadcaster said.

“Al-Sharif, 28, was killed on Sunday after a tent for journalists outside the main gate of the hospital was hit. The well-known Al Jazeera Arabic correspondent reportedly extensively from northern Gaza.”

Al Jazeera listed the other victims as Mohammed Qreiqeh and camera operators Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal, and Moamen Aliwa.

In a statement posted on Telegram, the Israeli military said, “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.”

“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,” the statement added.

Al-Sharif was a prominent figure in Al Jazeera’s Gaza coverage, known for his daily reports from the ground. 

Just hours before the strike, following a press conference by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defending a new offensive in Gaza, al-Sharif shared messages on X describing heavy Israeli bombardment across Gaza City. 

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) had previously urged for his protection after accusing the Israeli military’s Arabic spokesperson, Avichay Adraee of intensifying online attacks by labeling him a Hamas militant.

The CPJ expressed outrage over the deaths, with Regional Director Sara Qudah stating, “Israel’s pattern of labelling journalists as militants without providing credible evidence raises serious questions about its intent and respect for press freedom.”

“Journalists are civilians and must never be targeted. Those responsible for these killings must be held accountable.”

Relations between Israel and Al Jazeera have been strained for years, with Israeli government banning the broadcaster and raiding its offices amid the current conflict. 

Qatar, a partial funder of Al Jazeera, has hosted Hamas political leadership and served as a venue for indirect negotiations between the group and Israel.

With Gaza currently sealed off, international media outlets, including AFP, rely heavily on Palestinian reporters for coverage.

According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), more than 200 journalists have lost their lives in Gaza since the conflict began, including several from Al Jazeera.

The strike comes as Israel announced plans to intensify ground operations in Gaza. Prime Minister Netanyahu said the new offensive aims to eliminate remaining Hamas strongholds.

He also revealed intentions to grant more foreign journalists access to report from inside Gaza, outlining his vision for victory.

UN officials have warned that Israel’s plans to control Gaza City risk causing “another calamity” with severe regional 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.