Al Jazeera journalists hold vigil for staff killed in Gaza
Al Jazeera’s Gaza Bureau Chief Marks the Loss of Five Journalists
In Doha, Al Jazeera staff gathered to hold a moment of silence for five colleagues killed during an overnight Israeli strike in Gaza City. Among the mourned were Anas al‑Sharif, a familiar anchor on the channel, Mohammed Qreiqeh, a senior correspondent, and camera operators Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal and Moamen Aliwa. Their deaths underscored the peril that reporters face while covering the 22‑month war between Israel and Hamas.
Collective Condemnation and Ongoing Reporting
- Scores of Al Jazeera staff and the public converged in the network’s Doha studio to reject the killings.
- The network pledged to continue reporting on Gaza’s conflict despite the losses.
- Photographs of the deceased journalists were displayed on a tent in Gaza City, evoking the gravity of the situation.
Personal Tragedy and Refusal to Accept Blatant Attacks
Al Jazeera’s Gaza bureau chief Wael al‑Dahdouh spoke to AFP following the vigil. He recounted the personal devastation that struck his own family, noting that his wife and children were also killed in Israeli strikes.
“Every time we lose a loved one and a colleague we lose a part of this…family of journalists,” he said.
“We stand in solidarity and we take whatever action we can. But blatant attacks against international law and everything continue,” al‑Dahdouh added.
Al‑Dahdouh also referenced Fadi Al Wahidi, a camera operator who was left paralyzed by a neck gunshot wound while reporting in Gaza.
Israel’s Claims and Al Jazeera’s Rebuttal
Israel’s military confirmed it had carried out the attack on Al‑Sharif, describing him as a “terrorist who posed as a journalist.” In a sharp counterstatement, senior presenter Tamer Almisshal called the Israeli assertions “fabricated” and “baseless.” He highlighted the repeated targeting of Al Jazeera’s journalists by the Israeli military, labeling the allegations of militant affiliation as “unfounded.” Almisshal concluded that Israel seeks to silence the truth by killing the channel’s correspondents.
International Press Advocacy and the Reality on the Ground
In July, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) called for the protection of Al‑Sharif and accused Israel of online attacks that framed the reporter as a Hamas member. The CPJ’s appeal came as Gaza was sealed off, rendering global media groups, including AFP, dependent on Palestinian reporters for photo, video and text coverage.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) reported that more than 200 journalists, including several Al Jazeera reporters, had been killed in Gaza since the war began. Al‑Dahdouh explained that journalists still in Gaza “face attacks, murder, fear, hunger, displacement, thirst.” He noted that many colleagues had lost half their body weight, effectively erasing their recognition. Yet the journalists’ love for their profession kept them connected, enabling them to carry out their duties.
Conclusion
Al Jazeera’s memorial in Doha was a stark reminder of the brutal risks journalists take while reporting on Gaza. Al‑Dahdouh, Almisshal, and the network’s staff reaffirmed their commitment to continuing coverage, demanding respect for international law and the press’s essential role in exposing the truth.
