Prominent Al Jazeera Journalist Anas al-Sharif Among Five Reporters Killed in Israeli Airstrike on Gaza

Published: 11 August 2025. The English Chronicle Online

Anas al-Sharif, a distinguished Al Jazeera correspondent known for his courageous frontline reporting from Gaza, was tragically killed along with four of his colleagues in an Israeli airstrike on a journalist camp outside al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City. The attack, which claimed seven lives in total, has sent shockwaves through the international journalistic community and sparked renewed condemnation of violence targeting media personnel in conflict zones.

Al-Sharif, aged 28, was one of Al Jazeera’s most prominent voices in Gaza, frequently reporting under immense danger amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinian factions. His dedication to truth-telling was marked by resilience, even after threats and accusations from Israeli officials. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) acknowledged the airstrike and controversially alleged that al-Sharif was involved in Hamas military activities, claims strongly disputed by press freedom advocates and lacking credible evidence.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) expressed horror at the deaths and criticized Israel’s pattern of labeling journalists as militants without substantiation. “Journalists are civilians and must never be targeted,” said Sara Qudah, CPJ’s regional director. The Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate likewise condemned the attack as a “bloody crime” and called for accountability.

Al-Sharif’s reporting was known for its unflinching honesty, with his final messages underscoring his commitment to conveying the unvarnished truth despite the immense risks. Just days before his death, he reported intense Israeli bombardments on Gaza City, and a posthumous message published by Al Jazeera highlighted his resolve: “I never once hesitated to convey the truth as it is, without distortion or falsification.”

The loss extends beyond the professional realm, as al-Sharif leaves behind a wife and two young children. His family has endured repeated tragedies, including the death of his father in a previous Israeli strike in 2023. Despite personal loss, al-Sharif vowed to continue reporting from northern Gaza until his death.

Other journalists killed in the strike included Al Jazeera correspondent Mohammed Qreiqeh and camera operators Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal, and Moamen Aliwa. The attack came shortly after a campaign of incitement against Al Jazeera reporters in Gaza, intensifying concerns about the safety of media workers in the volatile region.

Israel has a history of lethal incidents involving Al Jazeera journalists and their families, including the deaths of Hossam Shabat, Ismail al-Ghoul, Rami al-Rifi, and the tragic loss suffered by Wael al Dahdouh’s family. Since the escalation of conflict on 7 October 2023, the Gaza government reports that 237 journalists have been killed, with the CPJ confirming at least 186 deaths during this period. Israel denies targeting journalists deliberately.

As the conflict continues, the targeting of media professionals poses grave threats to press freedom and the public’s right to information, highlighting the perils faced by those committed to reporting in war zones.