Israel Kills 5 Al Jazeera Journalists, Including Anas al-Sharif, in Gaza

New Delhi: Israeli forces wiped out almost the entire news team of news channel Al Jazeera, killing five journalists on the spot, including its star reporter Anas al-Sharif, 28, by striking their tent near Gaza City's Al-Shifa Hospital. The other journalists who were killed are Mohammed Qreiqeh, along with cameramen Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal and Moamen Aliwa.

According to an AFP report in The Hindu, Israel admitted to have carried out the attack, saying it had struck Anas al-Sharif terming him a “terrorist” who “posed as a journalist”.

Strongly condemning the killings, Al Jazeera Media Network labelled the targeted attack by Israel as "assassinations" and "blatant and premeditated attacks on press freedom". The network said it holds the Israeli occupation forces and government directly responsible for these actions, adding that the journalists had documented 22 months of "relentless bombing and destruction" in Gaza by Israeli occupation forces.

Al Jazeera said the order to assassinate Anas Al Sharif and his colleagues was a "desperate attempt to silence the voices exposing the impending seizure and occupation of Gaza". It added that the attack followed "repeated incitement and calls by multiple Israeli officials and spokespersons to target the fearless journalist Anas Al Sharif and his colleagues".

The news channel, funded by the Qatar government, noted that the incidents occurred amidst the "catastrophic consequences of the ongoing Israeli assault on Gaza", which has involved "relentless slaughter of civilians, forced starvation, and the obliteration of entire communities". The journalists documented 22 months of "relentless bombing and destruction".

Amid widespread outrage over the killings, the global journalist fraternity described Anas Al Sharif and his colleagues as being "among the last remaining voices from within Gaza", providing the world with "unfiltered, on-the-ground coverage of the devastating realities endured by its people".

While international media was barred from entering Gaza, Al Jazeera journalists remained within the besieged territory, "experiencing the hunger and suffering they documented through their lenses".

Despite losing several journalists to deliberate attacks and working under constant threat, Anas Al Sharif, Mohammed Qraiqea, and their colleagues "persisted in the strip to ensure the world sees the harrowing truth experienced by Gaza’s populace". They delivered "searing eyewitness accounts" through continuous, courageous live coverage.

The Al Jazeera Media Network has called on the "international community and all relevant organisations to take decisive measures to halt this ongoing genocide and end the deliberate targeting of journalists".

It added that "immunity for perpetrators and the lack of accountability embolden Israel’s actions and encourage further oppression against witnesses to the truth".

In a social media post mentioned as his “last will and testament”, reportedly posted by a friend after he was killed, Anas wrote:

"This is my last will and testament, my final message. If these words of mine reach you, know that Israel has succeeded in killing me and silencing my voice. Peace, mercy, and blessings of God be upon you. God knows that I have exerted all my effort and strength to be a support and voice for my people, ever since I opened my eyes to life in the alleys and neighborhoods of Jabalia refugee camp.”