FIVE journalists, including a prominent reporter for Al Jazeera who had previously been threatened by Israel, have been killed in an Israeli air strike in Gaza City, the broadcaster has said.
Heavy bombardment was reported in Gaza City late on Sunday evening and, shortly before midnight local time, Al Jazeera said correspondent Anas al-Sharif was killed in a strike along with four of his colleagues.
Rami Mohanna, administrative director at the nearby Shifa Hospital, said the strike hit a tent for Al Jazeera journalists outside the hospital’s walls.
Seven people in total were killed in the attack, including al-Sharif, Al Jazeera correspondent Mohammed Qreiqeh and camera operators Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal and Moamen Aliwa, according to Al Jazeera.
Israel’s military confirmed killing al-Sharif, alleging he was with Hamas.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) last month said it was gravely concerned for al-Sharif's safety after Israeli IDF spokesperson Avichai Adraee accused him of being a member of Hamas.
A UN special rapporteur on freedom of expression said al-Sharif was “targeted by an Israeli military smear campaign” and that that he lived with the “feeling that [he] could be bombed and martyred at any moment”.
After the attack, the CPJ said it was “appalled” to learn of the journalists’ deaths.
“Israel’s pattern of labelling journalists as militants without providing credible evidence raises serious questions about its intent and respect for press freedom,” said CPJ regional director Sara Qudah.
“Journalists are civilians and must never be targeted. Those responsible for these killings must be held accountable.”
A statement from Al Jazeera described the strike as a “targeted assassination” and “a desperate attempt to silence voices in anticipation of the occupation of Gaza”.
It 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.”
Al-Sharif was one of Al Jazeera’s most recognisable faces, with the broadcaster calling him “one of Gaza’s bravest journalists”.
In January, following the brief ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel, a clip of al-Sharif went viral after he removed his body armour while surrounded by dozens of Gaza residents overjoyed by the temporary halt in hostilities during a live broadcast.
A few minutes before his death, al-Sharif posted on X: “Breaking: Intense, concentrated Israeli bombardment using ‘fire belts’ is hitting the eastern and southern areas of Gaza City.”
The 28-year-old leaves behind a wife and two small children.
His father was reportedly killed by an Israeli strike on the family home in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza City in December 2023. Al-Sharif said he would continue to report and refused to leave Gaza.
