Deadly Strike Targets Gaza Press Tent
A deadly Israeli airstrike in Gaza City on Sunday night killed six Palestinian journalists, including Anas al-Sharif, one of the territory’s most recognizable media voices. Five of the victims worked for Al Jazeera:
-
Anas al-Sharif
-
Mohammed Qraiqea
-
Ibrahim al-Thaher
-
Mohamed Nofal
-
Mohammed al-Khaldi (freelance)
The journalists were inside a press tent when the strike hit. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) condemned the attack, calling it a deliberate attempt to “murder the messengers.”
Israel’s Allegations and Media Response
Israel’s Arabic military spokesperson claimed al-Sharif was a Hamas cell commander, an allegation first made 10 months ago. The CPJ described the accusation as “unsubstantiated”, noting a pattern where journalists are labeled as militants without credible evidence.
Al Jazeera Media Network called the strike a “desperate attempt” to silence voices reporting on Israel’s planned sweeping invasion and occupation of Gaza City.
A Respected Voice in Gaza
Anas al-Sharif, 28, was known for his fearless reporting in northern Gaza despite displacement orders, heavy bombardment, and ground offensives. A father of two, he gained a combined social media following of over 2 million on Instagram and X.
His broadcasts showed bomb-damaged hospitals, school shelters, and flooded refugee camps, often capturing the human cost of war.
Final Broadcast Before Death
In his last live report, aired just hours before his death, al-Sharif showed starving children in Gaza due to aid restrictions. The images moved him to tears. Israel’s spokesman accused him of acting and promoting Hamas propaganda, a claim rejected by media watchdogs.
Global Outrage Over Journalist Deaths
The CPJ reports nearly 190 journalists killed in Gaza since the start of the 22-month war, the highest death toll for media workers in any modern conflict.
Reporters Without Borders and other press freedom groups have condemned the targeting of journalists, warning that such attacks erode press freedom globally.
A Life Lived in Truth, Despite Danger
Al-Sharif lost his father in an earlier airstrike during the war. In a statement prepared before his death, he wrote that despite the pain, loss, and threats, he never hesitated to report the truth.
