Israeli strike claims life of prominent Al Jazeera journalist and four others

Al Jazeera has reported that five of its journalists in Gaza, including high-profile correspondent Anas al-Sharif, were killed in a targeted Israeli strike near Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City. Israel has accused al-Sharif of being a member of Hamas.

The broadcaster has denounced the killings of its staff, which also included another correspondent and three camera operators, as “yet another blatant and premeditated attack on press freedom”.

The broadcaster denies its reporters are affiliated with Hamas.

In the wake of his passing, a friend seems to have published a final statement on his X account, asserting that he had “never once hesitated to convey the truth as it is, without distortion or falsification”.

Allegations have surfaced accusing Israel of targeting Palestinian journalists in Gaza, a claim the country denies. International journalists face restrictions, prohibiting them from reporting freely from the region, and thus rely on local reporters for coverage.

Data from the Committee to Protect Journalists indicates that 186 journalists have been confirmed killed since Israel’s military offensive in Gaza began in October 2023.

Five journalists killed in Israeli strike – what happened?

Alongside Anas al-Sharif were fellow correspondent Mohammed Qreiqeh and cameramen Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal and Moamen Aliwa, Al Jazeera says.

They were in a tent for journalists near the main gate at Gaza City’s Al-Shifa hospital, the broadcaster adds.

The Israel Defense Forces confirmed it targeted al-Sharif, saying he had “served as the head of a terrorist cell in Hamas”.

The IDF did not mention any of the other journalists who were killed.

Al Jazeera’s managing editor, Mohamed Moawad, told the BBC that al-Sharif was an accredited journalist who was “the only voice” for the world to know what was happening in the Gaza Strip.

In two graphic videos of the aftermath of the strike, which have been confirmed by BBC Verify, men can be seen carrying the bodies of those who were killed.

Some shout out Qreiqeh’s name, and a man wearing a media vest says that one of the bodies is that of al-Sharif.

SOURCE: BBC NEWS