Israel Kills Al Jazeera Journalist Anas Al-Sharif in Gaza Strike Amid Rising Global Condemnation

Al Jazeera has confirmed that its Arabic correspondent, Anas Al-Sharif, was killed on August 10, 2025, in an Israeli airstrike targeting a tent for journalists outside Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. The 28-year-old journalist was among five Al Jazeera staff members killed, including correspondent Mohammed Qreiqeh and camera operators Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal, and Moamen Aliwa. The total death toll from the attack rose to seven.

According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Al-Sharif was “a terrorist posing as a journalist” and allegedly a member of Hamas’s military wing. Israel claimed intelligence documents, including rosters, training lists, and salary records, proved his affiliation. However, Al Jazeera, the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression Irene Khan, and press freedom groups such as the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) have strongly rejected these claims, saying they are part of a campaign to discredit Palestinian journalists and justify their killing.

Al-Sharif, who was often seen in a press vest, had been reporting from northern Gaza throughout the war, covering the humanitarian crisis and alleged Israeli violations. Just moments before his death, he posted a video showing Israeli strikes in Gaza City, along with the message: “I never hesitated for a single day to convey the truth as it is, without distortion or falsification.”

Why the Death of Anas Al-Sharif Matters for Press Freedom in Gaza

The killing of Anas Al-Sharif underscores the extreme risks faced by journalists in Gaza. Since the war began on October 7, 2023, more than 200 journalists have been killed, with CPJ reporting that nearly 70% of those deaths were caused by Israeli fire. The Government Media Office in Gaza places the number at over 230.

Media watchdogs warn that Israel’s accusations against Palestinian journalists are part of a long-standing pattern of targeting reporters, branding them as militants, and providing no independent verification. CPJ’s CEO Jodie Ginsberg stated that Israel had previously accused Al-Sharif of terrorism without credible evidence, calling it “a precursor to justify assassination.”

Al Jazeera has accused the Israeli military of running an “incitement campaign” against its reporters, citing repeated threats and public accusations against Al-Sharif in the weeks leading up to his death.

Eyewitness Accounts and Reactions

Hani Mahmoud, an Al Jazeera correspondent in Gaza, described the strike as a targeted attack:

“All the journalists had gathered in one area, trying to survive these conditions, when a drone strike hit the camp, killing Anas Al-Sharif and Mohammed Qreiqeh… This is perhaps the hardest thing I’ve reported in the past 22 months.”

Barry Malone, former Al Jazeera editor, posted on social media:

“The Israelis have murdered Anas Al-Sharif. He was so courageous and brought a special emotion and depth to his reports. He was our eyes. That’s why they killed him.”

The IDF defended the strike, stating:

“A press badge isn’t a shield for terrorism.”

However, human rights groups say such justifications are an attempt to silence independent reporting from Gaza and shield Israel from accountability for potential war crimes.

The Humanitarian Context in Gaza

The attack came as Gaza continues to face a catastrophic humanitarian crisis. Food, clean water, and medical supplies remain critically scarce. Al-Shifa Hospital, once the largest medical facility in Gaza, has been largely destroyed and now functions only through makeshift tents.

Dr. Aslam Akhtar, a volunteer at the hospital, said:

“Even doctors and nurses are severely malnourished. The hospital is incapable of operating at full capacity due to repeated attacks and a man-made famine.”

What Happens Next

Al-Sharif’s death came just two days after Israel’s cabinet approved a controversial plan to seize control of Gaza City, a move condemned by many world leaders. The UN Security Council held an emergency meeting, with several diplomats warning that expanded Israeli operations would lead to further civilian casualties and displacement.

Press freedom advocates are calling for an independent international investigation into the killing of Al-Sharif and his colleagues. Many believe the attack was deliberate and aimed at silencing coverage of the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Anas Al-Sharif’s Legacy

In a will written months earlier, Al-Sharif urged people not to let “chains silence you or borders confine you” and to continue telling Gaza’s story. He leaves behind his wife, Bayan, and two young children, Sham and Salah.

His death has become a symbol of both the dangers faced by journalists in conflict zones and the importance of independent reporting in exposing human rights abuses.

Anas Al-Sharif’s killing in Gaza is not just a tragedy for his family and colleagues—it is a direct blow to press freedom in one of the world’s most dangerous reporting environments.

You Must Know

Who was Anas Al-Sharif?
Anas Al-Sharif was a 28-year-old Al Jazeera Arabic correspondent who reported from northern Gaza throughout the Israel-Gaza war.

Why did Israel target Anas Al-Sharif?
The IDF claims he was affiliated with Hamas, but Al Jazeera, the UN, and press freedom groups deny these allegations and call them attempts to discredit him.

How many journalists have been killed in Gaza since 2023?
More than 200 journalists have been killed, with the majority reportedly targeted by Israeli forces.

Where was Anas Al-Sharif killed?
He was killed in an Israeli strike on a journalists’ tent outside Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.

What was his last message?
Minutes before his death, he posted a video of Israeli strikes, saying he had “never hesitated to convey the truth as it is.”