An Israeli airstrike in Gaza has killed five journalists from Al Jazeera along with two other members of the press, in what the network has described as a deliberate and premeditated assault on press freedom. The strike targeted a tent situated just outside the Al-Shifa Hospital, one of the largest medical facilities in Gaza, where reporters had been working to cover the ongoing conflict.
Victims Named
The five Al Jazeera journalists killed in the attack have been identified as Anas Al-Sharif, Mohammed Qariqeh, Ibrahim Zaheer, Mohammed Noufal, and Moamen Aliwa. According to the network, all five had been receiving threats for months due to their persistent reporting on the war. Two other journalists who were not affiliated with Al Jazeera also died in the same strike.
Al Jazeera has been one of the few major international news outlets maintaining on-the-ground coverage in Gaza since the start of Israel’s military campaign. Its correspondents have documented bombings, civilian casualties, widespread injuries, and severe shortages of food and medical supplies, often working under constant danger.
Network Condemns ‘Deliberate’ Attack
In a strongly worded statement, Al Jazeera condemned the killings, calling them “another brutal and premeditated attack on the freedom of the press.” The network said that the attack came amid the “horrific consequences of Israel’s ongoing assault on Gaza, which include mass civilian killings, forced starvation, and the destruction of entire communities.”
The statement paid tribute to the victims, describing them as “some of our finest journalists, who from the first day of this war bravely documented the plight of Gaza and its people.” It added that the killing of Al-Sharif and his colleagues was a desperate attempt to silence voices exposing the realities of occupation and the atrocities being committed.
Direct Accusations Against Israel
Al Jazeera directly accused the Israeli army and government of deliberately targeting its journalists. The network said several Israeli officials and spokespeople had repeatedly incited against Anas Al-Sharif and his colleagues, calling for them to be “dealt with” because of their reporting.
According to the statement, the strike was not random but part of a wider effort to suppress independent coverage from Gaza, particularly from reporters exposing the humanitarian catastrophe.
The Final Hours of Anas Al-Sharif
Anas Al-Sharif, a 28-year-old Al Jazeera Arabic correspondent and one of Gaza’s most prominent war reporters, had been particularly active in covering the northern parts of Gaza. Just hours before his death, he posted on X (formerly Twitter) that Israel had begun an intense and concentrated bombing operation — known as a “fire belt” — targeting Gaza City’s eastern and southern neighborhoods.
His last video, recorded at night, captured the loud, rapid sounds of Israeli missile strikes. In the background, the dark sky glowed orange from fires caused by the explosions. Moments later, the tent where he and other journalists were stationed was struck.
Mounting Toll on Media Workers
With these latest killings, the number of journalists and media workers killed since the start of Israel’s assault on Gaza has risen to over 230. Press freedom organizations have repeatedly warned that reporters in Gaza are facing unprecedented levels of danger, with many working without proper safety gear due to the destruction of infrastructure and blockades.
International media watchdogs, including the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF), have condemned the targeting of journalists in Gaza and called for independent investigations into such incidents.
Persistent Threats and Courageous Reporting
Mouin Rabbani, co-editor of the journal Jadaliyya, told reporters that the slain journalists had been repeatedly warned to stop their work. “They were told time and again to cease their professional and journalistic activities. Despite this, they continued to report on the genocide unfolding in Gaza with exceptional courage and determination,” Rabbani said.
Journalists in Gaza face multiple challenges: constant shelling, lack of electricity, disrupted communications, food scarcity, and the psychological strain of witnessing and reporting on large-scale civilian suffering — often involving their own friends and family members.
Al Jazeera’s Ongoing Commitment
Despite the loss of its staff, Al Jazeera vowed to continue its coverage from Gaza. “The sacrifices of our colleagues will not be in vain. We will keep reporting the truth from Gaza, no matter the cost,” the network’s statement concluded.
The incident has sparked renewed debate on the protection of journalists in conflict zones and the responsibilities of warring parties under international law. According to the Geneva Conventions, journalists working in war zones are considered civilians and must be protected from attack unless they take a direct part in hostilities.
Global Reactions and Calls for Accountability
While there has been no immediate official reaction from the Israeli government regarding this specific incident, similar cases in the past have often been justified by claims that militants were operating near journalists. Human rights groups, however, argue that such justifications are frequently used to excuse unlawful killings and suppress press coverage.
International advocacy groups are urging the United Nations and the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate this and other attacks on journalists in Gaza. They argue that targeting media workers undermines not only freedom of the press but also the public’s right to know about events unfolding in war zones.
The Legacy of the Fallen Journalists
The five Al Jazeera journalists killed on this day are remembered for their resilience and bravery. They continued to tell the world about the humanitarian disaster in Gaza, even when their own lives were at risk. Their work now forms part of the historical record of the war, offering testimony to the realities on the ground — realities that might otherwise have been hidden from the world.
As Gaza continues to endure heavy bombardment, the loss of these journalists underscores the increasingly perilous conditions for those trying to report from the frontlines. For many in Gaza, their deaths are not only a personal tragedy but also a blow to the collective effort to make their voices heard beyond the besieged territory.
