Five Al Jazeera staff killed in Gaza attack

Gaza City — Five Al Jazeera journalists, including well-known correspondent Anas al-Sharif, have been killed in what the network describes as a targeted Israeli strike on a press tent near al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.

The Sunday night attack killed seven people in total. Among the dead were Al Jazeera’s Mohammed Qreiqeh, Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal, and Moamen Aliwa.

Final Moments on the Frontline

Shortly before his death, 28-year-old al-Sharif posted on X describing “nonstop bombing” across eastern and southern Gaza City. In his last video, flashes from incoming missiles lit up the night sky as loud explosions echoed.

In a message written on April 6 to be released after his death, al-Sharif reflected on the war’s toll:

“I lived the pain in all its details… Despite that, I never hesitated to convey the truth as it is, without distortion or misrepresentation.”

He expressed sorrow at leaving behind his wife, Bayan, and their two young children, Salah and Sham.

Al Jazeera’s Condemnation

The Al Jazeera Media Network called the killings “yet another blatant and premeditated attack on press freedom.” In a statement, the network accused Israel of attempting to “silence the voices exposing the impending seizure and occupation of Gaza.”

“The order to assassinate Anas al-Sharif and his colleagues is a desperate attempt to stop the truth from being told,” the statement read.

Israeli Claims and Denials

Israel’s military accused al-Sharif of leading a Hamas cell and aiding rocket attacks. It claimed to have documents proving his affiliation, but human rights groups say no credible evidence exists.

Muhammed Shehada of the Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor told Al Jazeera:

“His entire daily routine was standing in front of a camera from morning to evening.”

UN special rapporteur Irene Khan had previously warned that Israeli threats against al-Sharif were part of a wider pattern of targeting journalists in Gaza based on unproven claims.

A Deadly Pattern

Rights groups say Israel has killed more than 200 journalists and media workers since October 2023, including several Al Jazeera staff and their families. Many were targeted despite wearing press vests and working in clearly marked media zones.

Hani Mahmoud, an Al Jazeera English reporter who was one block away when the tent was hit, called it the hardest report of his career:

“They were killed because of their relentless reporting on starvation and famine, because they brought the truth of this crime to everyone.”

Quick-Reference Fact Box

Key Detail	Information
Incident Date	Sunday, August 10, 2025
Location	Press tent outside al-Shifa Hospital, Gaza City
Journalists Killed	Anas al-Sharif, Mohammed Qreiqeh, Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal, Moamen Aliwa
Total Killed	7
Network	Al Jazeera Arabic
Cause	Israeli airstrike
Israeli Claim	Alleged Hamas affiliation (denied by network & rights groups)
Journalists Killed in Gaza Since Oct 2023	Over 200