Tel Aviv [Israel]: At least five journalists were killed in an Israeli strike targeting a tent where journalists were gathered outside al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City on Sunday, according to Al Jazeera.
Among the dead were two Al Jazeera correspondents, Anas al-Sharif and Mohammed Qreiqeh, along with camera operators Ibrahim Zaher and Mohammed Noufal, the network reported.
The Israeli military confirmed it had killed al-Sharif, accusing him of “posing as an Al Jazeera journalist” while allegedly working for Hamas.
The IDF posted on X: “STRUCK: Hamas terrorist Anas Al-Sharif, who posed as an Al Jazeera journalist. Al-Sharif was the head of a Hamas terrorist cell responsible for rocket attacks on Israeli civilians and troops.”
The statement added, “Intelligence and documents from Gaza—including rosters, training lists, and salary records—confirm he was a Hamas operative embedded within Al Jazeera. Holding a press badge does not grant immunity for terrorism.”
According to Al Jazeera, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) in New York has verified the deaths of at least 186 journalists since October 7, 2023. Additionally, Israel has imprisoned at least 90 journalists.
Al Jazeera alleges that since the outbreak of the conflict, the Israeli military has systematically targeted and killed journalists, photographers, and local media personnel in Gaza in an effort to silence their reporting.
This deadly attack occurred just hours after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told foreign media that he had decided to permit some foreign journalists entry into the Gaza Strip.
“At this moment, I have ordered the military to allow more foreign journalists into Gaza,” Netanyahu said during a press conference in Jerusalem. “Security is a concern, but we believe it can be managed responsibly to ensure your safety.”
However, Israeli authorities have long barred foreign media from entering Gaza, while reportedly targeting and killing nearly 200 Palestinian journalists since October 2023.
