Israel’s military said it killed a Hamas cell leader posing as an Al Jazeera journalist in a Gaza airstrike on Sunday. However, Al Jazeera stated that at least five of its journalists were killed in the Israeli strike on a tent housing journalists outside al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.
Anas al-Sharif, 28, was among a group of five Al Jazeera journalists who died in a strike on a tent in the eastern Gaza City. An official at the hospital said two other people were also killed in the strike.
Al-Sharif was the head of a Hamas cell and “was responsible for advancing rocket attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF (Israeli) troops," the Israeli military said in a statement, citing intelligence and documents found in Gaza as evidence.
The 28-year-old was one of the most prominent journalists in Gaza and continued to report, even though he knew his life was in danger.
However, journalists’ groups and Al Jazeera have denounced the killings. Among the victims were Al Jazeera correspondents Anas al-Sharif and Mohammed Qreiqeh, as well as cameramen Ibrahim Zaher, Moamen Aliwa, and Mohammed Noufal, according to the broadcaster.
A press freedom group and a UN expert had previously warned that Al-Sharif’s life was in danger due to his reporting from Gaza. UN Special Rapporteur Irene Khan said last month that Israel’s claims against him were unsubstantiated.
Al-Sharif had also left a social media message to be posted in the event of his death that read, “…I never hesitated to convey the truth as it is, without distortion or misrepresentation, hoping that God would witness those who remained silent."
In a statement, the Committee to Protect Journalists, which in July urged the international community to protect Al Sharif, said Israel had failed to provide any evidence to back up its allegations against him.
“Israel’s pattern of labeling journalists as militants without providing credible evidence raises serious questions about its intent and respect for press freedom," said Sara Qudah, CPJ’s director for the Middle East and North Africa.
Al-Sharif, whose X account showed more than 500,000 followers, posted on the platform minutes before his death that Israel had been intensely bombarding Gaza City for more than two hours.
Calling Al Sharif “one of Gaza’s bravest journalists," Al Jazeera said the attack “is a desperate attempt to silence voices in anticipation of the occupation of Gaza."
Source: News18