JERUSALEM (AP) – On Sunday, Israel's military conducted an airstrike targeting Al Jazeera correspondent Anas al-Sharif, resulting in his death along with that of another journalist, Mohamed Qreiqeh, and at least six other individuals who were seeking shelter outside the Gaza City Hospital complex. Officials at Shifa Hospital reported that the casualties included two Al Jazeera correspondents and four other journalists, as confirmed by hospital administrative director Rami Mohanna.
The attack has sparked outrage among press advocates, who view it as a calculated move against those documenting the ongoing war in Gaza. Israeli military officials later claimed that al-Sharif was the head of a Hamas cell, a statement that both Al Jazeera and the correspondent had previously dismissed as unfounded. This incident marks a significant moment during the conflict, as it is the first time Israel's military has promptly taken responsibility following the death of a journalist in an airstrike.
This recent strike follows a history of allegations made by Israeli officials against al-Sharif and other Al Jazeera journalists, accusing them of affiliations with Hamas and Islamic Jihad. In July 2024, Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee accused al-Sharif of involvement with Hamas's military wing. Al Jazeera condemned the airstrike, labeling it a “targeted assassination” and asserting that it was an act of incitement tied to the unfounded allegations surrounding al-Sharif's involvement with militant groups.
In a statement, Al Jazeera emphasized that al-Sharif and his colleagues were among the last credible voices reporting from Gaza, providing essential, unfiltered coverage of the dire conditions faced by its inhabitants. The network is currently one of the few media outlets maintaining a significant presence in the besieged territory, where international journalists have faced substantial barriers in accessing the region throughout the ongoing conflict.
Al Jazeera has faced severe losses throughout the war, including the deaths of correspondent Ismail al-Ghoul and cameraman Rami al-Rifi during last summer, along with freelancer Hossam Shabat in an Israeli airstrike in March 2025. Notably, like al-Sharif, Shabat was among those whom Israeli officials accused of having ties to militant organizations last year.
On Monday, hundreds of people, including numerous journalists, assembled to mourn al-Sharif, Qreiqeh, and their fellow journalists. The victims' bodies were displayed, shrouded in white sheets, at the Shifa Hospital complex. Ahed Ferwana from the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate expressed grave concerns about the deliberate targeting of journalists and called upon the international community to take action in support of press freedom.
Just minutes before his death, al-Sharif had reported on bombardments occurring nearby. In a poignant social media message that Al Jazeera said was prepared for posting in the event of his death, he lamented the unprecedented devastation caused by the war and conveyed a farewell to his family. The 28-year-old journalist proclaimed, “I never hesitated for a single day to convey the truth as it is, without distortion or falsification.”
The tragic deaths of al-Sharif and Qreiqeh contribute to a grim tally of fatalities among journalists in the region. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, 186 journalists have been killed in Gaza throughout this conflict, which observers claim is the deadliest ever for reporters. Al-Sharif had recently joined Al Jazeera shortly after the war began, gaining recognition for his coverage of the Israeli bombardments and the widespread starvation affecting the populace. Qreiqeh, a native of Gaza City, is survived by two children.
Al-Sharif and Qreiqeh, like many journalists in the region, have faced prolonged separations from their families due to the conflict. When they were finally reunited during a temporary ceasefire earlier this year, their children appeared unable to recognize them, which was captured in video footage they shared.
The ongoing suppression of press freedom has caught the attention of various human rights organizations. Recently, U.N. expert Irene Khan and the Committee to Protect Journalists criticized Israel for waging a smear campaign against al-Sharif. Khan stated that the killings of journalists appear to be part of a strategic effort to suppress the truth and hinder the documentation of international crimes.
In response to the airstrike, the Committee to Protect Journalists expressed deep concern and condemnation, questioning Israel’s intent and its commitment to respecting press freedom. The tragic event underscores the precarious conditions faced by journalists in conflict zones and the urgent need for accountability, particularly concerning their safety and freedom to report. Sam Metz And Samy Magdy, The Associated Press.
