By Rahim Abdul
Journalist Anas al-Sharif and four other members of Al Jazeera’s news crew were killed on Monday following an Israeli airstrike that struck a tent designated for the press near the main gate of al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.
According to the reports, the team had been stationed at the site to cover the ongoing humanitarian crisis and the aftermath of recent bombardments when the attack occurred.
The tent, clearly marked as a media gathering point, was set up to allow journalists to report safely from close to the hospital, which has been a focal point for civilians seeking shelter and treatment.
Medical staff at al-Shifa Hospital confirmed that all five victims were pronounced dead upon arrival at the facility’s emergency department.
Several other people, including local journalists and bystanders, sustained injuries in the explosion.
Al Jazeera condemned the attack, calling it a “direct targeting of journalists who were performing their duty to inform the world of the atrocities on the ground in Gaza.”
The network demanded an immediate and independent investigation into the incident, stressing that targeting members of the press is a violation of international humanitarian law.
The Government Media Office in Gaza also issued a statement accusing Israel of deliberately targeting the press to silence coverage of the war’s civilian toll.
This latest incident adds to the growing list of journalists killed in Gaza since the escalation of hostilities began, with press freedom groups reporting that the enclave has become one of the deadliest places in the world for reporters.
International human rights organizations have repeatedly urged all parties to protect journalists and media infrastructure, noting that the press plays a vital role in documenting events and holding parties accountable during armed conflicts.
The killing of al-Sharif and his colleagues has sparked outrage among media unions and journalist advocacy groups worldwide, many of whom are calling for the International Criminal Court to investigate attacks on journalists in Gaza as potential war crimes.
