Prominent Al Jazeera journalist killed in Israeli airstrike on Gaza
13 days ago
- #Gaza conflict
- #Journalist safety
- #Press freedom
- Anas al-Sharif, a prominent Al Jazeera journalist, was killed in an Israeli airstrike along with four colleagues near al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City.
- Israel claimed al-Sharif was part of a Hamas terrorist cell, but rights advocates and Al Jazeera disputed this, calling it an attempt to silence journalists.
- Al-Sharif had previously been threatened by Israel, with accusations from an IDF spokesperson labeling him as a Hamas member, which the UN called unsubstantiated.
- Before his death, al-Sharif posted about intense Israeli bombardment in Gaza and left a final message emphasizing his commitment to truthful reporting.
- The attack is part of a broader pattern of violence against journalists in Gaza, with at least 186 killed since the conflict began in October 2023, according to CPJ.
- Al-Sharif's family has also been affected by the conflict, with his father killed in an Israeli strike in December 2023.
- Al Jazeera and other organizations condemned the killings, calling for accountability and highlighting the dangers faced by journalists in Gaza.