On Sunday, an Israeli strike in Gaza City resulted in the deaths of two Al Jazeera correspondents, including a well-known reporter, along with three camera operators who were present at their tent.
The Israeli military acknowledged in a statement that it targeted Anas al-Sharif, a reporter it described as a “terrorist” connected to Hamas.
The recent assault marks yet another instance of journalists being targeted explicitly during the ongoing 22-month conflict in Gaza, with media watchdogs reporting that approximately 200 media professionals have lost their lives throughout the war.
According to Al Jazeera, Anas al-Sharif, a journalist for the network, was killed in a deliberate Israeli strike that also claimed the lives of four other colleagues. The incident occurred at a tent designated for journalists in Gaza City.
On Sunday, Al-Sharif, 28, lost his life when a tent designated for journalists was struck outside the main entrance of the hospital. The prominent Al Jazeera Arabic correspondent is said to have reported extensively from northern Gaza.
According to the channel, five of its employees lost their lives in a strike on a tent in Gaza City. The deceased have been identified as Mohammed Qreiqeh, along with camera operators Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal, and Moamen Aliwa.
The Israeli military has acknowledged its involvement in the attack, labelling Al Jazeera’s al-Sharif a “terrorist” who “posed as a journalist”.
The IDF reported via Telegram that it recently targeted Anas Al-Sharif, who was allegedly posing as a journalist for the Al Jazeera network, in Gaza City.
The statement indicated that Anas Al-Sharif held a leadership position within a terrorist cell associated with Hamas, where he played a key role in facilitating rocket attacks targeting Israeli civilians and IDF personnel.
Al-Sharif emerged as a prominent figure for the channel, delivering daily reports from the ground in Gaza and contributing to the ongoing coverage of the situation.
After a press conference held by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday, during which he justified the decision to initiate a new offensive in Gaza, al-Sharif took to X to share updates about the “intense, concentrated Israeli bombardment” occurring in Gaza City.
A brief video showcasing Israeli strikes targeting Gaza City was among his last messages.
In July, the Committee to Protect Journalists released a statement urging the protection of a reporter, accusing Avichay Adraee, the Israeli military’s Arabic-language spokesperson, of intensifying online assaults by labelling the journalist as a Hamas terrorist.
In the wake of the attack, the Committee to Protect Journalists expressed its deep dismay upon learning of the fatalities among the journalists.
“The practice of designating journalists as militants without substantiated evidence by Israel prompts significant concerns regarding its motives and commitment to press freedom,” stated CPJ Regional Director Sara Qudah.
Journalists, as members of the civilian population, should never be subjected to targeting. Accountability for those responsible for these killings is imperative.
The Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate has condemned what it characterises as a “bloody crime” involving assassination.
The relationship between Israel and Al Jazeera has been fraught with tension for years. Recently, Israeli authorities took significant measures against the channel, including a ban within the country and the raiding of its offices in the aftermath of the latest conflict in Gaza.
Qatar has long been a significant player in the Middle East, providing funding for Al Jazeera and hosting an office for the Hamas political leadership. The nation has also served as a regular venue for indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas.
Authorities have implemented a seal-off procedure.
As Gaza remains sealed off, numerous media organisations globally, including AFP, rely on the coverage of the conflict delivered by Palestinian journalists through photos, videos, and written reports.
In early July, the media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) reported that over 200 journalists have lost their lives in Gaza since the onset of the war, with several of those fatalities involving Al Jazeera journalists.
International criticism is escalating regarding the situation faced by over two million Palestinian civilians in Gaza, as UN agencies and human rights organisations issue warnings about an impending famine in the region.
In a significant development, Israel has revealed its intentions to intensify military operations in Gaza. Prime Minister Netanyahu stated on Sunday that the forthcoming offensive aims to focus on the remaining strongholds of Hamas in the region.
The announcement included a plan to permit an increased number of foreign journalists to report from within Gaza alongside the military, as he articulated his vision for achieving victory in the region.
A United Nations official cautioned the Security Council that Israel’s intentions to exert control over Gaza City could lead to “another calamity” with significant implications.
“The implementation of these plans is poised to incite yet another crisis in Gaza, with repercussions that could resonate throughout the region, leading to increased forced displacement, loss of life, and widespread devastation,” stated UN Assistant Secretary General Miroslav Jenca during a Security Council meeting.
