By Michelle Ndaga.
Five Al Jazeera journalists were killed on Sunday in an Israeli strike near Gaza City’s Al-Shifa Hospital, the broadcaster has confirmed.
Correspondents Anas al-Sharif and Mohammed Qreiqeh, along with cameramen Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal and Moamen Aliwa, were inside a tent for reporters at the hospital’s main gate when it was hit. Two others also died, bringing the death toll to seven. Al Jazeera condemned the strike as a “targeted assassination” and a “premeditated attack on press freedom.” The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) later confirmed it had targeted al-Sharif, accusing him of leading a Hamas terrorist cell, but did not name the other journalists. Al Jazeera and press freedom advocates have rejected Israel’s claims, saying no evidence has been provided.
The Committee to Protect Journalists said the incident fits a pattern of Israeli forces killing journalists and later alleging militant ties. Since Israel’s offensive began in October 2023, at least 186 journalists have been killed, according to CPJ. Israel’s military campaign was launched in response to the October 7 Hamas attack that killed about 1,200 people and took 251 hostages. Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry says more than 61,000 have died since.
