Gathering mourns deceased Al Jazeera personnel in Gaza vigil
Al Jazeera Journalist Anas al-Sharif Killed in Israeli Airstrike
Al Jazeera correspondent Anas al-Sharif was killed in an Israeli airstrike on August 10, 2025, in Gaza. The Israeli military has alleged that al-Sharif was a terrorist, but multiple credible sources, including the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression, Irene Khan, have denounced these claims as baseless and part of a broader campaign to intimidate and silence journalists reporting on Gaza.
Al-Sharif was a prominent journalist, reporting from Gaza, and his death follows a pattern where Israel has been accused of deliberately targeting Palestinian journalists, which human rights organizations consider a war crime. The Israeli military confirmed it carried out the attack on al-Sharif, alleging that he was a "terrorist" who "posed as a journalist."
However, these accusations have been characterized by human rights experts and media watchdogs as unfounded and dangerous smears aimed at discrediting and ultimately targeting journalists. Tamer Almisshal, a senior presenter at Al Jazeera overseeing coverage in Gaza, told AFP that the Israeli assertions about al-Sharif were "fabricated" and "baseless."
The Israeli military has not issued a statement denying these accusations. The Israeli military has also been accused of carrying out online attacks on al-Sharif, claiming he was a member of Hamas.
The love for their profession keeps journalists in Gaza connected and carrying out their duty, despite facing attacks, murder, fear, hunger, displacement, and thirst. Fadi Al Wahidi, a camera operator for Al Jazeera, was left paralysed by a gunshot wound to the neck while reporting in the Palestinian territory.
In addition to al-Sharif, Mohammed Qreiqeh, Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal, and Moamen Aliwa, camera operators for Al Jazeera, were also killed in the same attack.
Wael al-Dahdouh, Gaza bureau chief of Al Jazeera, was present at the vigil for al-Sharif. Al-Dahdouh stated that every time a loved one and colleague is lost, Al Jazeera loses a part of its "family of journalists." A vigil was held in an Al Jazeera Arabic studio and newsroom in the Qatari capital to condemn the killings.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) stated that more than 200 journalists have been killed in Gaza since the war began, including several Al Jazeera journalists. The Committee to Protect Journalists called for al-Sharif's protection in July.
Many media groups, including AFP, depend on photo, video, and text coverage provided by Palestinian reporters in Gaza. Al-Dahdouh also said that Al Jazeera stands in solidarity and takes whatever action it can, but that blatant attacks against international law continue.
[1] Human Rights Watch, "Israel: Deliberate Attacks on Gaza Media," 11 August 2025, https://www.hrw.org/news/2025/08/11/israel-deliberate-attacks-gaza-media
[2] Amnesty International, "Israel: Attacks on journalists in Gaza may amount to war crimes," 12 August 2025, https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2025/08/israel-attacks-on-journalists-in-gaza-may-amount-to-war-crimes/
[3] Committee to Protect Journalists, "Israel/Gaza: CPJ calls for protection of journalists," 5 July 2025, https://cpj.org/2025/07/israelgaza-cpj-calls-for-protection-of-journalists.php
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