Gazans mourn Al Jazeera staff slain by Israel
Al‑Jazeera Staff Deaths Amid Gaza Campaign Expansion
Friday’s Israeli strike that claimed the lives of five Al‑Jazeera journalists coincided with Israel’s intensified offensive in the Gaza Strip.
Funeral Gatherings and Mourners
- In a solemn ceremony at Al‑Shifa hospital’s courtyard, mourners paid respects to Anas al‑Sharif, a 28‑year‑old correspondent, and four of his colleagues who were killed.
- Seventh reporter Mohammed al‑Khaldi, a freelancer, was also killed in the same strike, as reported by hospital director Dr. Mohammed Abu Salmiya.
- Faces were exposed on white shrouds and graves were accessed through narrow alleys by men wearing blue flak jackets.
Israel’s Terrorist Designation
Israel confirmed that it had targeted Sharif, labeling him a “terrorist” affiliated with Hamas. The military stated he “posed as a journalist” and described him as the head of a terrorist cell, responsible for launching rocket attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF troops.
In a graphic, the Israeli military displayed a list of Hamas operatives in northern Gaza, including Sharif’s name, and an image of him marked with the word “Eliminated.” It also published a list claiming Sharif had been paid $200 by Hamas after an injury and a phone directory that included his number.
Al‑Jazeera’s Response
The channel reported that its staff were hit in a tent set up for journalists outside the main gate of a hospital in Gaza City. The four other staff members killed were:
- Mohammed Qreiqeh, a correspondent
- Ibrahim Zaher, a cameraman
- Mohammed Noufal, a camera operator
- Moamen Aliwa, a cameraman
Al‑Jazeera condemned the attack as a “desperate attempt to silence voices exposing the Israeli occupation,” calling Sharif “one of Gaza’s bravest journalists.” It noted repeated incitement and calls by Israeli officials to target him and his colleagues.
International Reaction
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) called Israel “out of line” for labeling journalists militants without credible evidence. CPJ’s chief executive, Jodie Ginsberg, highlighted that international law protects non‑combatants unless an active combatant status is proven.
- Reports since the war’s onset indicate nearly 200 journalists have been killed.
- International reporters face strict travel restrictions to Gaza, with access limited to tightly controlled military‑approved visits.
Government and Military Discord on Further Expansion
Israel’s security cabinet voted to advance into the remaining territories, including Gaza City and Al‑Mawasi, addressed by a “safe zone” declaration. The plan sparked divisions between the government and military leadership and drew widespread condemnation.
Countries such as Germany, a key weapons supplier, halted arms shipments to Israel. Australia joined a group of Western nations recognizing a Palestinian state. Despite these diplomatic shifts, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remained defiant, asserting “We will win the war, with or without the support of others.”
UN and Humanitarian Agencies
UN Assistant Secretary‑General Miroslav Jencar warned that implementing the expansion could trigger another calamity. UN agencies noted a famine unfolding in the territory due to Israel’s severe aid restrictions.
According to Gaza’s health ministry, at least 61,430 Palestinians have been killed, with US‑based UN reporting these figures as reliable. The 2023 Hamas attack on Israel resulted in 1,219 deaths, according to an AFP tally.
Key Takeaway
As Israel pushes its offensive, the targeting of journalists and the diplomatic backlash underscore the volatile nature of the conflict and the mounting humanitarian crises within Gaza.
