International community and media organizations condemn lethal attack by Israel on Al Jazeera journalists in Gaza
Israeli Strike on Al Jazeera Journalists Sparks International Outcry
In a shocking incident on August 11, 2025, an Israeli strike in Gaza City targeted and killed five Al Jazeera journalists, including the prominent correspondent Anas al-Sharif. The attack took place near Alshifa hospital, targeting a tent set up for journalists outside the main gate.
Anas al-Sharif, aged 28, had been a dedicated reporter covering the war and humanitarian crisis in Gaza. His extensive work had earned him a reputation as one of Gaza's bravest journalists. Al Jazeera described the attack as a "desperate attempt to silence voices exposing the Israeli occupation."
The Israeli government alleged that al-Sharif was a leader of a Hamas cell disguised as a journalist, a claim vehemently denied by Al Jazeera and international journalist organizations. They asserted that the allegations were baseless and lacked credible evidence.
The international response to the attack has been swift and strong. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) condemned the killing as part of a "deliberate and systematic attempt to cover up Israel’s actions" by targeting and silencing journalists. CPJ's regional director, Sara Qudah, highlighted the pattern of Israel labeling journalists as militants without providing credible evidence and called the attack a war crime under international law.
Since the war began in October 2023, at least 192 journalists have been killed, 184 of them Palestinians, with Israel responsible for the majority. Al Jazeera alone lost 10 staff journalists and nine freelancers in Gaza during this conflict.
The killing of Al Jazeera journalists marks a significant escalation and has drawn widespread condemnation from journalist rights groups and media organizations worldwide. Jodie Ginsberg, CPJ's chief executive, stated that unless Israel can demonstrate that Anas Al Sharif was still an active combatant, there is no justification for his killing.
In addition to the human toll, Israel has imposed strict restrictions on international journalists entering Gaza, placing most reporting burdens on Palestinian journalists. This has contributed to the high casualty figures among media workers. The killing of Al Jazeera journalists has sparked renewed calls for freedom of the press and the protection of journalists in conflict zones.
The international community has also expressed concern over the escalating violence in Gaza. Germany, a major weapons supplier and staunch ally, announced the suspension of shipments of any arms that could be used in Gaza. The United Nations and humanitarian agencies have condemned the planned offensive, which UN Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenca said "will likely trigger another calamity in Gaza."
The European Union's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas also condemned the killing of the five Al Jazeera journalists. The United Nations human rights agency called the strike on journalists a "grave breach of international humanitarian law."
The Israeli government's plan to conquer the remaining quarter or so of the territory not yet controlled by Israeli troops, including much of Gaza City and Al-Mawasi, an Israeli-designated safe zone where huge numbers of Palestinians have sought refuge, has drawn condemnation from protesters in Israel and numerous countries, including Israeli allies, and has triggered bitter disagreement between the government and military leadership.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to deepen, with UN agencies warning last month that famine was unfolding in the territory, with Israel severely restricting aid entry. A posthumous message written by Anas al-Sharif in April urged people "not to forget Gaza."
References: 1. Al Jazeera 2. Committee to Protect Journalists 3. Reporters Without Borders
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