An Israeli airstrike in Gaza, late Sunday evening, killed five journalists from Al Jazeera, outside the Al-Shifa Hospital, the Israeli military has confirmed.
Al Jazeera has identified the dead as correspondent Anas Al-Sharif, 28; correspondent Mohammed Qreiqeh; and cameramen Ibrahim Zaher, Moamen Aliwa, and Mohammed Noufal. An assistant was also among those killed.
According to the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF), Al-Sharif allegedly headed a Hamas cell that “facilitated rocket attacks on Israeli civilians and IDF forces.” The military said intelligence and seized documents from Gaza, including rosters, training lists, and salary records, proved his affiliation with Hamas.
“A press badge is not a shield for terrorism,” it stated.
As per the hospital’s director, Dr. Mohammad Abu Salmiya, the group was in a tent near the hospital entrance when the strike occurred, killing at least seven people in total. According to a CNN report, this included another journalist as well.
Al Jazeera has, however, strongly rejected the allegations, describing the strike as “a desperate attempt to silence voices ahead of the occupation of Gaza.”
Press freedom groups and UN officials are also raising questions on Israel's claims, stating that no independent proof had been provided to substantiate their claims.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said it was “appalled” by the attack. It also accused Israel of a pattern of labelling journalists as militants without presenting credible evidence. The group says at least 186 journalists have been killed since the war began nearly two years ago.
Al-Sharif, married with two children, was reportedly one of Gaza’s most recognisable war correspondents, often broadcasting live from areas under bombardment. Minutes before his death, he posted on social media about “intense, concentrated Israeli bombardment” of Gaza City.
The incident comes amid Israel’s plan to expand ground operations to target remaining Hamas strongholds.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on Sunday, defended the new offensive and said more foreign journalists would be allowed into Gaza with military escorts.
Meanwhile, the UN has warned the offensive expansion could lead to “another calamity” for Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, many already facing famine conditions.
(With inputs from agencies)
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