Israeli Airstrike Claims Life of Al Jazeera Journalist Anas al Sharif in Gaza
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) killed prominent Palestinian journalist Anas al Sharif, a reporter for Al Jazeera, in a precision artillery strike on Gaza City on Sunday night, according to local journalists. This incident reflects the ongoing hazards faced by media professionals in conflict zones, reports 24brussels.
Al Jazeera reported that al Sharif was killed during a bombardment of a journalists’ tent located near the Shifa hospital in the heart of Gaza City shortly before midnight. Witnesses stated that the intensity of Israeli shelling had escalated dramatically in the area.
Just 30 minutes prior to his death, al Sharif posted a video on social media revealing the intense shelling occurring in Gaza City, captioned with a dire warning: “Continuous shelling… For the past two hours, Israeli aggression has intensified in Gaza City.” He had also expressed grave concerns about the situation, indicating that the ongoing violence could lead to the destruction of Gaza, referring to it as genocide.
Al Sharif was not alone in his tragic fate; three other journalists were reportedly killed in the same incident. They include fellow Al Jazeera reporter Mohammed Qreiquea, photographers Ibrahim Zaher and Mohamed Aliwa, and their driver, Mohammed Nofal, who was also assigned as an assistant photojournalist by the Gaza government.
Graphic images emerged following the attack, showing the aftermath as onlookers chanted “Allah is great.” The Gaza government has reported that the total number of journalists killed during the current conflict has now reached 237, which includes a range of media personnel, influencers, and content creators.
In July, the IDF spokesperson Avichai Adraee publicly accused al Sharif of having ties with Hamas’s military wing, an assertion that has been vehemently denied and labeled as a malicious attempt to discredit him. The Committee to Protect Journalists raised serious concerns over al Sharif’s safety, suggesting that he has become a target of an Israeli military smear campaign.
Since the outbreak of war in Gaza in October 2023, Israel has frequently alleged that Palestinian journalists are affiliated with Hamas, a claim contested by press rights organizations, who argue that such accusations serve to undermine journalistic integrity while putting reporters at risk. Over 200 journalists and media workers have reportedly been killed since the conflict began, including several affiliated with Al Jazeera.
These allegations are viewed by the media community as part of a wider Israeli military strategy to censor and intimidate those documenting the repercussions of the war on civilians.
