An outpouring of grief and condemnation has erupted following the Israeli drone attack that killed five Al Jazeera journalists in Gaza, including the well-known correspondent Anas al-Sharif.
The drone strike occurred late on Sunday, targeting a tent for journalists positioned outside the main gate of Gaza City’s al-Shifa Hospital, ultimately taking the lives of seven individuals.
Among those murdered were Al Jazeera correspondent Mohammed Qreiqeh and prominent camera operators Ibrahim Zaher, Moamen Aliwa, and Mohammed Noufal.
Additionally, local freelance journalist Mohammad al-Khaldi was also reported killed in the strike, with three more journalists sustaining injuries.
Just hours before his assassination, al-Sharif, 28, had shared a post on X regarding the severe bombardment that Gaza City was experiencing.
Regarded for his courageous reporting from the northern regions of Gaza, al-Sharif had emerged as a vital voice documenting what many have described as an ongoing genocide in the enclave.
The Al Jazeera Media Network has vehemently condemned the attack, describing it as a “targeted assassination” of its journalists.
In the wake of the killings, various responses have come forth from different organizations and political entities.
The Palestinian mission to the United Nations accused Israel of “deliberately assassinating” both al-Sharif and Qreiqeh, classifying them as representatives of the “last remaining journalists” still operating in Gaza.
They stated, “They have systematically and dutifully exposed and documented Israel’s genocide and starvation.”
The mission further noted that as Israel continues its ethnic cleansing campaign in Gaza, “its enemy remains the truth: the brave journalists exposing its heinous crimes.”
Hamas also expressed its condemnation of the assassination of Al Jazeera’s journalists, labeling the assault as part of a “widespread targeting of journalists unprecedented in any war.”
The group suggested that these killings aimed to stifle media coverage in Gaza ahead of what they described as “major crimes” planned against Palestinians in the besieged area.
They called upon the UN Security Council and the international community to condemn the acts and take immediate measures to hold Israeli leadership accountable for alleged war crimes.
Hamas praised al-Sharif as a “symbol of free journalism,” acknowledging his significant contributions to documenting the famine in Gaza and the impacts of Israel’s crippling siege.
Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs echoed these sentiments, with spokesman Esmail Baghaei urging global accountability for Israel’s actions after the journalists’ deaths.
He stated, “A press badge is no shield against genocidal war criminals who fear the world witnessing their atrocities.”
Baghaei added that condemnation from the international community is merely the “bare minimum,” emphasizing the urgency for immediate action to halt the ongoing genocide and hold the perpetrators responsible.
In Qatar, Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani strongly criticized Israel for the killings, characterizing them as shockingly violating press freedom.
He noted on social media that the “deliberate targeting” of journalists by Israel reveals an unimaginable reality amidst the failure of the international community to prevent such tragedies.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’s spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, expressed condolences to the Al Jazeera family and called for a comprehensive investigation into the killings.
“The killings of journalists must always be condemned,” added Dujarric, asserting that media workers in Gaza and beyond should be afforded the safety and freedom to execute their work without fear.
Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, condemned the Israeli army for silencing voices reporting the atrocities in Gaza.
Lazzarini expressed horror over the killing of the five journalists, emphasizing that over 200 Palestinian journalists have perished since the war commenced, highlighting the dangers faced by media personnel in conflict zones.
He insisted on the need for international media access to Gaza to support local journalists and counter disinformation surrounding the situation.
The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights condemned the killings as a grave violation of international humanitarian law.
They insisted that Israel must respect and safeguard civilians, including journalists, and called for immediate and unhindered access for all journalists to Gaza.
The Al Jazeera Media Network continued to condemn the actions of the Israeli military as a premeditated attack on press freedom.
In their statement, they accused Israeli forces of admitting their responsibility for the assault and articulated that this attack reflects “the catastrophic consequences” of the ongoing siege against Gaza, which has led to mass civilian casualties and widespread destruction.
The network characterized the murders of their colleagues as a desperate attempt to silence voices that expose the impending occupation of Gaza.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) expressed its shock at Israel’s actions, with regional director Sara Qudah noting the alarming pattern of labeling journalists as militants without credible evidence.
“Those responsible for these killings must be held accountable,” Qudah stated, emphasizing the need for justice in light of the violence against media professionals.
Jodie Ginsberg, CEO of the CPJ, recalled that Israel previously accused al-Sharif and others of terrorism without evidence.
Her reflections suggested a worrying trend that could be interpreted as a precursor to justify the targeted killing of journalists.
Amnesty International joined the chorus of condemnation, labeling the killings as a war crime under international law while recognizing al-Sharif as a brave, extraordinary journalist.
Al-Sharif had posthumously received Amnesty International Australia’s Human Rights Defender Award in 2024 for his commitment to press freedom.
Mohamed Duar, a spokesperson for Amnesty International Australia in the occupied Palestinian territory, expressed devastation over the loss, highlighting al-Sharif’s resolve to expose atrocities committed against Palestinians.
Duar described the journalists as courageous figures enduring perilous conditions to reveal the war crimes occurring in Gaza.
Human Rights Watch denounced the targeted killings, underscoring the grave risks faced by journalists and the Israeli military’s blatant disregard for civilian life.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemned the act as an “acknowledged murder” of al-Sharif, asserting that the military had admitted to deliberately targeting the journalists.
RSF emphasized that al-Sharif was among Gaza’s most recognized journalists and served as the voice for those suffering from the ongoing conflict.
They cautioned that without substantial action from the international community, further extrajudicial killings of media professionals could occur.
The National Press Club’s president, Mike Balsamo, stated that the death of journalists is a profound loss that extends beyond one newsroom and called for a thorough and transparent investigation.
He noted that journalists must be permitted to operate without the threat of violence or murder.
Lastly, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) condemned the killings, demanding that U.S. and international media workers stand in solidarity with their Palestinian counterparts.
CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad stated, “Israel’s ongoing campaign of targeted assassinations of Palestinian journalists is a war crime, plain and simple.”
He articulated that the murders of the Al Jazeera journalists are not mere accidents or collateral damage but are part of a consistent, systematic effort to silence media voices and obscure the truth regarding the atrocities taking place in Gaza.
Since the escalation of hostilities in October 2023, it has been reported that 269 journalists have been killed in Gaza, marking it as the deadliest conflict on record for reporters.
image source from：aljazeera
