Gaza City: Five Al Jazeera journalists were killed by an Israeli strike in Gaza City on Sunday, including 28-year-old correspondent Anas al-Sharif, who had reported prominently on the war since its outset. The other Al Jazeera journalists killed were correspondent Mohammed Qreiqeh and cameramen Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal, and Moamen Aliwa, according to Al Jazeera. Additionally, two other individuals were killed, including local freelance journalist Mohammed al-Khaldi, as confirmed by hospital officials.
According to BBC, Anas al-Sharif had been a significant presence in Gaza, working for Al Jazeera for about two years. Born in the Jabalia area, he became one of the network's most prominent reporters during the war, often appearing in live broadcasts. Despite Israeli evacuation orders, Sharif continued to report from the northern territory, separated from his family, which included his wife and two young children.
Sharif's work and dedication were widely recognized within the journalism community. Mohamed Moawad, Al Jazeera's managing editor, described him as the "only voice left in Gaza City," while Raed Fakih, input manager at Al Jazeera's Arabic-language channel, praised his courage, dedication, and honesty. Fakih further highlighted Sharif's willingness to report from areas of intense conflict and his commitment to amplifying the voices of Gazans.
The Israeli military has accused Sharif of leading a terrorist cell within Hamas, alleging he was responsible for rocket attacks on Israelis. The military claims to possess documents proving his military affiliation with Hamas, though little evidence has been publicly presented. These allegations have been dismissed by media freedom groups like Reporters Without Borders (RSF), which called for international intervention and labeled the claims as baseless.
RSF has emphasized the risk of further extrajudicial killings of media professionals without strong international action. Nearly 200 journalists have been killed in the conflict following Hamas's October 7, 2023, assault, according to RSF. Fakih accused the Israeli military of fabricating stories about journalists to obscure actions in Gaza, referencing past incidents, including the killing of journalist Shireen Abu Aqla.
Sharif had been aware of the risks he faced, particularly after an Israeli military spokesman accused him of being part of Hamas's military wing. In a prewritten post on his X account, Sharif expressed his commitment to being a voice for his people and urged remembrance of Gaza.