Five Al Jazeera journalists, including one of Gaza’s most recognisable correspondents, have been killed in an Israeli strike near Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, the network has said.
Anas al-Sharif, 28, and fellow correspondent Mohammed Qreiqeh were in a tent used by journalists at the hospital’s main gate when it was hit on Sunday evening. Three cameramen Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal and Moamen Aliwa also died.
Al Jazeera called the attack a “targeted assassination” and “yet another blatant and premeditated attack on press freedom”. It accused Israel of trying to silence independent reporting from Gaza, where foreign reporters have been barred throughout the war.
The Israel Defense Forces confirmed it had targeted al-Sharif, alleging he was “head of a terrorist cell in Hamas” involved in rocket attacks. It claimed to have “previously disclosed intelligence” about his role, but has not released evidence publicly.
Press freedom groups have rejected the allegations. The Committee to Protect Journalists said Israel has a long record of killing reporters and later claiming, without proof, that they were combatants. “This is a pattern we’ve seen for decades,” said CPJ chief Jodie Ginsberg.
Al Jazeera’s managing editor, Mohamed Moawad, said al-Sharif was accredited and was “the only voice for the world to know what was happening” inside Gaza. He stressed the journalists were “targeted in their tent” and were not reporting from a combat zone.
Moments before his death, al-Sharif appeared to be posting on social media about “intense bombardment” in Gaza City. A final post apparently pre-written was published after he was confirmed dead.
Footage verified by the BBC showed bodies being carried from the site. In total, seven people were killed in the strike, according to Al Jazeera.
Last month, the UN and press freedom groups warned al-Sharif’s life was at risk after an Israeli military spokesperson posted a video accusing him of belonging to Hamas’ armed wing. Irene Khan, the UN special rapporteur on freedom of expression, called the claim “unsubstantiated” and said there was “growing evidence” journalists in Gaza were being targeted.
It is not the first time Al Jazeera staff have been killed in such strikes. In August 2024, correspondent Ismael al-Ghoul and cameraman Rami al-Rifi died in an air strike that also killed a passer-by. Israel alleged Hamas links in that case too; the network denied the claims.
The CPJ says at least 186 journalists have been killed since Israel’s military offensive began in October 2023, launched in response to Hamas-led attacks that killed about 1,200 people in Israel and took 251 hostages.
For journalists still working in Gaza, the danger is not only from air strikes but also from hunger. Last month, the BBC and three major news agencies warned that local reporters were at risk of starvation, with some going days without food.
More than 61,000 people have been killed in Gaza since the offensive began, according to the Hamas-run health ministry
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