Journalists Killed in Israeli Strike, Sparking Outrage and Calls for Protection

In the Gaza City, within the grounds of the Shifa hospital complex, Al-Jazeera journalists had concluded their day of reporting. They had been documenting the violence, starvation, and brutality that had become commonplace in their besieged homeland. They had just bid each other good night.

Minutes later, Israeli missiles struck, obliterating their tent. Anas al-Sharif, a prominent voice for the news channel in Gaza, was killed. Also killed were reporter Mohammed Qreiqeh, cameramen Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal, and Moamen Aliwa. A sixth, freelance journalist was also killed nearby.

The Israelis had intentionally targeted Sharif, accusing him of being a Hamas terror cell leader, but provided no credible evidence to support their claim. There was no explanation for the deaths of the other men.

Saed, a Palestinian journalist staying in a nearby tent, was thrown to the ground by the explosion. He lost consciousness and upon regaining his senses, saw the journalists' tent had been hit. Amer, also in the compound, rushed out to find a colleague screaming for help, injured. Sharif was dead, and Qreiqeh was barely alive, on fire. Others desperately tried to extinguish the flames.

Shrapnel had also struck the journalist syndicate tent, killing a sixth journalist and a passer-by. The journalists were the voice and image of the suffering in Gaza. Sharif had anticipated being targeted, accepting the possibility due to threats against him. He was reporting the events, conveying the images of the massacres in the Gaza Strip.

Sharif had prepared for his death, posting a final statement on his social media account. He wrote that Israel had succeeded in killing him and silencing his voice. He asked to not be forgotten and to be remembered in prayers. Shortly before his death, he had reported on the non-stop bombing in the area.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) had previously expressed grave concern for Sharif's safety, noting an Israeli military smear campaign against him. They stated the accusations were an attempt to justify his killing. A UN expert and special rapporteur had also warned of the danger to Sharif's life, stating Israel's claims were unsubstantiated.

The Israeli military claimed responsibility for the attack, alleging Sharif was a Hamas militant coordinating rocket attacks. The CPJ stated they had not seen any credible evidence to support Israel's allegations. The journalists' deaths were widely condemned, with many expressing concern over the repeated targeting of journalists in Gaza.

Al Jazeera Media Network condemned the "targeted assassination" of Sharif and his colleagues, stating they were among the last voices providing unfiltered coverage of the realities in Gaza. Human Rights Watch highlighted the unimaginable peril faced by Palestinian journalists and the Israeli military's disregard for civilian life. They emphasized the vital role of Palestinian journalists in documenting the ongoing events.