An Israeli airstrike on Sunday killed five Al Jazeera journalists, including prominent Gaza correspondent Anas al-Sharif, in what the Qatari-funded network described as a “targeted assassination” intended to silence critical reporting. The attack, which struck a tent near the Al-Shifa Medical Complex in Gaza City, also killed a local freelance reporter and two other people. The strike triggered an international outcry, with Qatar, the United Nations, and press freedom groups calling for accountability and protection of journalists.

Fatal Strike on Gaza’s Remaining Voices

The journalists killed were identified as Anas al-Sharif, Mohammed Qreiqeh, Ibrahim Zaher, and Mohammed Noufal, along with an assistant. According to Al Jazeera, they were stationed opposite Al-Shifa Hospital when the Israeli military launched what it called a “directed assault” on their position.

Israel’s army claimed al-Sharif headed a Hamas cell that had coordinated rocket attacks on Israeli civilians and military forces, asserting that the strike was based on intelligence and documents seized in Gaza. These documents have not been made public.

Al Jazeera strongly rejected the allegations, calling them “fabricated” and accusing Israel of repeated incitement to target its journalists. The network said the strike was part of a broader campaign to suppress coverage of Israel’s plans to seize and occupy Gaza.

Condemnation From Qatar and Rights Groups

Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani condemned the killings as “beyond imagination” and accused Israel of “deliberate targeting of journalists.” The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) echoed the condemnation, noting that Israel has presented no verifiable evidence linking al-Sharif to armed groups. UN Special Rapporteur Irene Khan had previously warned that his life was in danger due to his reporting from Gaza and stressed that accusations against him were unsubstantiated.

Hamas, which governs Gaza, called the killing of journalists “a prelude to a major crime” and an attempt to pave the way for further military offensives in Gaza City.

Final Words and Funeral

Before his death, al-Sharif posted on X (formerly Twitter) that Gaza City was under “intense bombardment for more than two hours.” He had also prepared a message to be released if he was killed: “I never hesitated to convey the truth as it is, without distortion or misrepresentation, hoping that God would witness those who remained silent.”

On Monday, thousands gathered at Sheikh Radwan Cemetery to mourn the journalists. Colleagues, relatives, and friends embraced in grief, vowing to continue the work the reporters had died for.

Al Jazeera has called on the international community to “take decisive measures to halt this genocide and end the deliberate targeting of journalists,” warning that the lack of accountability has emboldened Israel’s actions against the press.