An Israeli airstrike in Gaza City late Sunday killed at least seven people, including four Al Jazeera journalists, in what the network called a deliberate attempt to silence critical reporting ahead of a ground push.
Among the dead was Anas Al-Sharif, 28, one of Gaza’s most prominent war correspondents, known for his extensive on-the-ground coverage since the conflict began nearly two years ago. Al Jazeera accused Israel of ordering his killing, rejecting military claims that he was a Hamas commander.
“The order to kill Anas Al-Sharif, one of Gaza’s bravest journalists, along with his colleagues, is a desperate attempt to silence voices ahead of the occupation of Gaza,” the network said.
Also killed were Al Jazeera reporter Mohammed Qreiqeh and photojournalists Ibrahim Al-Thaher and Mohamed Nofal, according to the network. Hospital officials said the journalists were in a tent marked “Press” near Gaza’s Al-Shifa Hospital when the strike hit.
In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Al-Sharif led a Hamas cell involved in planning rocket attacks, citing what it called “unequivocal proof” from intelligence documents recovered in Gaza. Al-Sharif had repeatedly denied any affiliation with Hamas, insisting, “My only mission is to report the truth from the ground — as it is, without bias.”
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The United Nations and press freedom advocates had warned for weeks that Al-Sharif’s life was in danger. The Committee to Protect Journalists said in July the reporter was facing an “Israeli military smear campaign” that he feared was a precursor to his assassination. The UN’s special rapporteur on freedom of expression had called the Israeli allegations “unfounded.”
Sunday’s strike adds to a mounting toll on media workers in Gaza. CPJ says 186 journalists have been killed since the war began, 178 of them Palestinians killed by Israeli forces. Foreign journalists remain barred from entering Gaza unless embedded with Israeli troops.
Hours before the strike, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said international reporters would be allowed into the territory under the same military escort policy in place since the war began.
Al-Sharif leaves behind a wife and two young children. In a message prepared in case of his death, he urged colleagues and supporters “not to be silenced by chains” and to continue “the message… until the sun of dignity and freedom shines upon our occupied homeland.”
