Five Al Jazeera journalists were among seven people killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza, the broadcaster has said.
Al Jazeera said two of its correspondents Anas al-Sharif and Mohammed Qreiqeh, along with cameramen Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal and Moamen Aliwa were killed when a tent for journalists was hit.
Freelance journalist Mohammad al-Khaldi was also killed, Reuters news agency reported.
Rami Mohanna, Administrative Director at the local Shifa Hospital, said the strike hit the tent just outside the hospital's walls.
Al Jazeera Media Network condemns the targeted assassination of its correspondents Anas Al Sharif and Mohammeel Qraiqea, along with photographers Ibrahim Al Thaher, and Mohamed Nofal, by Israeli forces.#JournalismIsNotACrime pic.twitter.com/F3p9PbhGZF
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) August 11, 2025
Israel confirmed that it targeted and killed Mr al-Sharif and claimed the reporter "posed as a journalist” but was actually with Hamas.
The IDF claimed Mr Al-Sharif was part of a Hamas cell and was involved in rocket attacks against Israeli, citing intelligence and documents found in Gaza as evidence. Prior to his death, Mr Al-Sharif had rejected earlier allegations by Israel and denied having any political affiliations.
The BBC reported ity was understood he worked for a Hamas media team in Gaza before the current conflict.
Sara Qudah, CPJ’s director for the Middle East and North Africa said “Israel’s pattern of labeling journalists as militants without providing credible evidence raises serious questions about its intent and respect for press freedom.”
Last month, the Committee to Protect Journalists expressed concern for his safety, and said he was "targeted by an Israeli military smear campaign".
Al Jazeera described Mr Al-Sharif as "one of Gaza's bravest journalists", who was previously part of a Reuters team which won a Pulitzer Prize in 2024 for coverage of the Israel-Hamas war in the category of Breaking News Photography.
Al Jazeera described the strike as a "targeted assassination".
The broadcaster said: "Al Jazeera Media Network condemns in the strongest terms the targeted assassination of its correspondents Anas Al Sharif and Mohammed Qraiqea, along with photographers Ibrahim Al Thaher, and Mohamed Nofal, by the Israeli occupation forces in yet another blatant and premeditated attack on press freedom."
The network said it “categorically rejects the Israeli occupation forces’ portrayal of our journalists as terrorists and denounces their use of fabricated evidence.”
Mr Al-Sharif had left a social media message to be posted in the event of his death, according to Al Jazeera, that read, "I never hesitated to convey the truth as it is, without distortion or misrepresentation, hoping that God would witness those who remained silent."
This is my will and my final message. If these words reach you, know that Israel has succeeded in killing me and silencing my voice. First, peace be upon you and Allah’s mercy and blessings.
— أنس الشريف Anas Al-Sharif (@AnasAlSharif0) August 10, 2025
Allah knows I gave every effort and all my strength to be a support and a voice for my…
Moments before his death, Mr Al-Sharif posted on X saying that Israel had been intensely bombarding Gaza City over two hours.
Breaking: Intense, concentrated Israeli bombardment using “fire belts” is hitting the eastern and southern areas of Gaza City.
— أنس الشريف Anas Al-Sharif (@AnasAlSharif0) August 10, 2025
Hamas claimed that the killing may indicate the beginning of an Israeli offensive.
In a statement, the group said: "The assassination of journalists and the intimidation of those who remain paves the way for a major crime that the occupation is planning to commit in Gaza City.”
The Hamas-run Gaza government media office said that 237 journalists have been killed since the war started on October 7, 2023. The Committee to Protect Journalists said at least 186 journalists have been killed in the Gaza conflict.
