An Israeli airstrike near Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City killed five Al Jazeera journalists, including well-known reporter Anas Al-Sharif. Israel claimed Al-Sharif was linked to Hamas, but media groups condemned the attack and questioned the targeting of journalists. This incident is part of a larger pattern in the 22-month Gaza war, where nearly 200 media workers have lost their lives.
The Airstrike and Victims
On Sunday, an Israeli airstrike targeted a tent set up for journalists outside the main gate of Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. According to Al Jazeera, the attack killed seven people, including five of their staff:
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Anas Al-Sharif (28) – Senior correspondent for Al Jazeera
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Mohammed Qureiqeh
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Ibrahim Zaher – Cameraperson
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Mohammed Noufal
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Muamen Aliwa
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Al Jazeera said:
রোববার আল-শরীফসহ পাঁচজন সাংবাদিক গাজা সিটিতে সাংবাদিকদের জন্য স্থাপিত তাঁবুতে লক্ষ্য করে চালানো ইসরায়েলি হামলায় নিহত হয়েছেন।
Translation: On Sunday, five journalists, including Al-Sharif, were killed in an Israeli attack that targeted a tent set up for journalists in Gaza City.
Israel’s Statement
Shortly after the Israeli Airstrike , the Israeli military admitted they had intentionally targeted Anas Al-Sharif. They claimed:
অল্প কিছুক্ষণ আগে গাজা সিটিতে আল-জাজিরা নেটওয়ার্কের সাংবাদিক সেজে থাকা সন্ত্রাসী আনাস আল-শরীফকে লক্ষ্য করে হামলা চালানো হয়েছে। তিনি হামাস সন্ত্রাসী সংগঠনের সেলপ্রধান ছিলেন এবং ইসরায়েলি বেসামরিক নাগরিক ও সেনাদের ওপর রকেট হামলার দায়িত্বে ছিলেন।
Translation: A short while ago, an attack was carried out targeting Anas Al-Sharif, a terrorist posing as an Al Jazeera journalist. He was the head of a Hamas terror cell and responsible for rocket attacks on Israeli civilians and soldiers.
Al-Sharif’s Final Message
Moments before his death, Al-Sharif was reporting on intense Israeli bombardments in Gaza City via the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). After his death, a post appeared from his account reading:
যদি এই কথাগুলো আপনাদের কাছে পৌঁছায়, জেনে নেবেন—ইসরায়েল আমাকে হত্যা করতে ও আমার কণ্ঠ রুদ্ধ করতে সফল হয়েছে।
Translation: If these words reach you, know that Israel has succeeded in killing me and silencing my voice.
Reactions from Media and Rights Groups
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The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) had previously urged for Al-Sharif’s safety in July. After the attack, CPJ expressed deep concern over Israel’s frequent labeling of journalists as terrorists without strong evidence, calling it a threat to press freedom.
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The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate condemned the attack as a “bloody massacre.”
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In an emotional live broadcast, an Al Jazeera anchor struggled to hold back tears while announcing the deaths of his colleagues.
A Pattern of Violence Against Journalists
This killing marks the latest in a string of attacks on journalists during the 22-month Gaza war. Nearly 200 media workers have been killed during this period, according to various organizations. Relations between Israel and Al Jazeera have been tense for years. Since the war began, Israel has banned the network’s broadcasts inside the country and raided its offices.
Source: Daily Janakantha
