5 Al Jazeera journalists killed in Israeli strike close to Al-Shifa hospital

5 Al Jazeera journalists have been killed in an Israeli strike close to Gaza Metropolis’s Al-Shifa Hospital, the broadcaster has mentioned.

Correspondents Anas al-Sharif and Mohammed Qreiqeh, alongside cameramen Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal and Moamen Aliwa have been in a tent for journalists on the hospital’s primary gate when it was struck, Al Jazeera reported.

The “focused assassination” on Sunday was “yet one more blatant and premeditated assault on press freedom”, it mentioned in a press release.

Shortly after the strike, the Israel Protection Forces (IDF) confirmed that it had focused Anas al-Sharif, writing in a Telegram submit that he had “served as the top of a terrorist cell in Hamas”.

The IDF didn’t point out any of the opposite journalists who have been killed.

In complete, seven individuals died within the strike, Al Jazeera experiences. The broadcaster initially mentioned that 4 of its employees had been killed, however revised it to 5 a number of hours later.

Its managing editor, Mohamed Moawad, advised the BBC that al-Sharif was an accredited journalist who was “the one voice” for the world to know what was taking place within the Gaza Strip.

All through the struggle, Israel has not allowed worldwide journalists into Gaza to report freely. Due to this fact, many shops depend on native reporters inside the territory for protection.

“They have been focused of their tent, they weren’t overlaying from the entrance line,” Moawad mentioned of the Israeli strike.

“The actual fact is that the Israeli authorities is eager to silence the protection of any channel of reporting from inside Gaza,” he advised The Newsroom programme.

“That is one thing that I have not seen earlier than in fashionable historical past.”

Al-Sharif, 28, seemed to be posting on X within the moments earlier than his dying, warning of intense Israeli bombardment inside Gaza Metropolis. A submit that was revealed after he was reported to have died seems to have been pre-written and revealed by a good friend.

In two graphic movies of the aftermath of the strike, which have been confirmed by BBC Confirm, males will be seen carrying the our bodies of those that have been killed.

Some shout out Qreiqeh’s title, and a person sporting a media vest says that one of many our bodies is that of al-Sharif.

In its assertion, the IDF accused al-Sharif of posing as a journalist, and being “accountable for advancing rocket assaults towards Israeli civilians and IDF troops”.

It mentioned it had beforehand “disclosed intelligence” confirming his navy affiliation, which included “lists of terrorist coaching programs”.

Final month, the Al Jazeera Media Community – together with the United Nations and the Committee to Shield Journalists (CPJ) – issued separate statements warning that al-Sharif’s life was in peril, and calling for his safety.

Jodie Ginsberg, chief government of the CPJ, advised the BBC that Israeli authorities have failed to supply proof to point out that the journalists they killed have been terrorists.

“It is a sample we have seen from Israel – not simply within the present struggle, however within the a long time previous – wherein usually a journalist shall be killed by Israeli forces after which Israel will say after the truth that they’re a terrorist, however supplies little or no proof to again up these claims,” she mentioned.

This isn’t the primary time the IDF has focused and killed Al Jazeera journalists in Gaza, who they claimed have been Hamas-affiliated.

In August final 12 months, Ismael Al-Ghoul was hit by an air strike as he sat in his automotive – harrowing video shared on social media confirmed his decapitated physique. Cameraman Rami al-Rifi and a boy passing on a bicycle have been additionally killed.

In al-Ghoul’s case, the IDF mentioned he took half in Hamas’ 7 October 2023 assaults towards Israel, a declare Al Jazeera strongly rejected.

In response to the CPJ, 186 journalists have been confirmed killed because the begin of Israel’s navy offensive in Gaza in October 2023.

For the journalists nonetheless in Gaza, the scenario is dire. In addition to air strikes, there may be the specter of hunger.

Final month, the BBC and three information companies – Reuters, AP and AFP – issued a joint assertion expressing “determined concern” for journalists within the Strip, who they are saying are more and more unable to feed themselves and their households.

Three freelancers whom the BBC depends on for its protection mentioned they usually go days with out consuming, and one collapsed throughout filming.

Greater than 100 worldwide assist organisations and human rights teams have warned of mass hunger in Gaza. Israel, nonetheless, which controls the entry of assist provides into Gaza, has accused the charities of “serving the propaganda of Hamas”.

Israel launched its offensive in response to the Hamas-led assault on southern Israel on 7 October that 12 months, wherein about 1,200 individuals have been killed and 251 others have been taken hostage.

Greater than 61,000 individuals have been killed in Gaza because the Israeli navy operation started, in accordance with the territory’s Hamas-run well being ministry.

Further reporting by Shayan Sardarizadeh, BBC Confirm