Israel Kills Al Jazeera Journalist, Claims He Was Hamas Cell Leader

Report by “Safarti Tarjuman” International News Desk

Gaza City — An Israeli airstrike on Sunday killed Anas Al Sharif, a prominent Al Jazeera journalist, along with three other reporters and an assistant near Shifa Hospital in eastern Gaza City. The Israeli military claims Al Sharif was a Hamas cell leader involved in orchestrating rocket attacks, a charge strongly rejected by the Qatar-based broadcaster.

Gaza health officials confirmed seven fatalities from the strike, which hit a media tent used by local journalists. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the operation was based on intelligence reports and documents allegedly linking Al Sharif to Hamas military activity.

Al Jazeera condemned the killing as a “desperate attempt to silence journalists ahead of a possible full-scale occupation of Gaza.” The network named the other journalists killed as Mohammed Qreiqeh, Ibrahim Zaher, and Mohammed Noufal.

Press freedom advocates, Palestinian journalists’ unions, and Hamas denounced the strike. Hamas claimed the attack on journalists was a prelude to a “major crime” Israel was preparing in Gaza City.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) had earlier urged international intervention to safeguard Al Sharif’s life, while UN Special Rapporteur Irene Khan last month dismissed Israeli allegations against him as unsubstantiated.

The incident comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to launch a new offensive to seize the last Hamas-controlled areas. Conditions in Gaza have worsened amid a hunger crisis following more than three years of war.

In a statement, Al Jazeera called Al Sharif and his colleagues “among the final remaining voices documenting Gaza’s suffering”, warning that their deaths would severely hinder reporting from the territory.

Thank you for reading! For comprehensive news coverage and exclusive stories, visit SafartiTarjuman.com