Israel strike kills Al Jazeera journalists in Gaza

Israeli bombing on Sunday killed a well-known Al Jazeera journalist who had previously received threats from Israel, along with four other journalists. Journalists and human rights organizations denounced the killing.
The Israeli military claimed to have targeted and executed Anas Al Sharif, claiming he was involved in rocket assaults against Israel and had led a Hamas cell. Al Jazeera denied the allegation, and prior to his passing, Al Sharif had denied previous Israeli allegations that he had ties to Hamas.

Described by Al Jazeera as “one of Gaza’s bravest journalists,” the attack was a “desperate attempt to silence voices in anticipation of the occupation of Gaza.”
According to Al Jazeera, Mohammed Noufal, Ibrahim Zaher, and Mohammed Qreiqeh were the other journalists who were killed. Al Sharif led a Hamas cell and “was responsible for advancing rocket attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF (Israeli) troops,” according to a statement from the Israeli military, which cited information and papers discovered in Gaza as proof.

A press freedom group and a United Nations expert previously warned that Al Sharif’s life was in danger due to his reporting from Gaza. U.N. Special Rapporteur Irene Khan said last month that Israel’s claims against him were unsubstantiated.

Al Jazeera said Al Sharif had left a social media message to be posted in the event of his death that read, “…I never hesitated to convey the truth as it is, without distortion or misrepresentation, hoping that God would witness those who remained silent.”

The Committee to Protect Journalists, which in July urged the international community to protect Al Sharif, said in a statement that Israel had failed to provide any evidence to back up its allegations against him.

“Israel’s pattern of labeling journalists as militants without providing credible evidence raises serious questions about its intent and respect for press freedom,” said Sara Qudah, CPJ’s director for the Middle East and North Africa.

In Gaza, where a starvation crisis is worsening following 22 months of war, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared he will begin a fresh offensive to destroy Hamas strongholds. Since the conflict began on October 7, 2023, 237 journalists have been killed, according to the government media office in Gaza, which is administered by Hamas. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, the war in Gaza has claimed the lives of at least 186 journalists.