Five Al Jazeera Journalists Killed In Israeli Strike Near Gaza’s Al-Shifa Hospital

Five Al Jazeera journalists, including the well-known reporter Anas al-Sharif, were killed in an Israeli strike near Gaza City’s Al-Shifa Hospital, the broadcaster has confirmed.

Al-Sharif, along with correspondent Mohammed Qreiqeh and cameramen Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal, and Moamen Aliwa, were in a journalists’ tent at the hospital’s main gate when the attack occurred, according to Al Jazeera.

The broadcaster condemned the strike as a “targeted assassination” and described it as “yet another blatant and premeditated attack on press freedom.”

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) acknowledged targeting Anas al-Sharif, accusing him of leading a Hamas terrorist cell and directing rocket attacks against Israeli civilians and troops.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) expressed shock at the attack and criticized Israel for failing to provide evidence supporting its claims against al-Sharif. CPJ CEO Jodie Ginsberg told the BBC that such accusations often follow the killing of journalists by Israeli forces, yet rarely come with proof.

Al Jazeera’s managing editor, Mohamed Moawad, described al-Sharif as an accredited journalist and “the only voice” for the world to understand the situation in Gaza. He highlighted that international journalists have been barred from entering Gaza, making local reporters vital for coverage.

Moawad emphasized that the journalists were targeted in their tent and were not on the front lines when the strike happened. He accused the Israeli government of attempting to silence reporting from within Gaza, calling it unprecedented in modern history.

Prior to the attack, Al Jazeera, the United Nations, and CPJ had issued warnings about threats to al-Sharif’s safety and called for his protection.

Al-Sharif, 28, appeared to post warnings on X about intense Israeli bombardment in Gaza moments before his death. A post published after his reported death was likely pre-scheduled and shared by a colleague.

Graphic videos verified by the BBC show men carrying the victims’ bodies from the site of the strike, with some identifying the journalists by name.

Al Jazeera reported that a total of seven people died in the strike. Initially, the broadcaster said four staff members had been killed, but later updated the number to five.