Israel's alleged actions against Anas al-Sharif: Possible intent to silence journalism
In the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, which began in October 2023, the tragic toll on journalists has been unprecedented. According to various sources, at least 192 to 242 Palestinian journalists have been killed, the majority by Israeli military forces.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reports that as of August 10, 2025, at least 192 journalists had been killed by Israel during the war. The United Nations, on the other hand, reported a higher figure of 242 Palestinian journalists killed by Israel, as of August 11, 2025. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) reported at least 180 Palestinian journalists killed as of August 2025.
The deadliest single attack occurred on August 10, 2025, when an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City killed six journalists, including five Al Jazeera staff and one freelancer. Notably, the deadliest strike was the Israeli airstrike targeting a media tent near al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, which claimed the lives of six journalists.
The overwhelming majority of these deaths have been attributed to Israeli military strikes, including airstrikes targeting media offices, news vans, homes, and gathering points for journalists. Israel's actions have raised serious concerns about violations of international law and the protection of the press during wartime.
Among the journalists killed was Anas al-Sharif, a renowned Al Jazeera reporter. Israel accused him of having a "military affiliation to Hamas," but Al Jazeera denies this claim. The circumstances surrounding his death have sparked international outrage, with the UN calling for a rigorous and independent inquiry.
Israel's claim that al-Sharif headed a terrorist cell responsible for planning rocket attacks against Israeli civilians and soldiers is denied by Al Jazeera. However, it is known that al-Sharif was deliberately targeted by the IDF. His advanced death was a known fact to him, and his farewell message expresses his undimmed spirit and commitment to truthful reporting.
Israeli cooperation is crucial for the inquiry to be effective, but it remains uncertain if it will be provided. Dozens of journalists remain confined to Israeli jails, and the lack of evidence produced to support Israel's claims against al-Sharif adds to the growing concern about the treatment of journalists in this conflict.
This tragic toll marks the Gaza war as the deadliest conflict for journalists globally in recent history, surpassing the combined deaths in both world wars, the Vietnam war, the wars in Yugoslavia, and the US war in Afghanistan. The international community continues to call for accountability and protection of journalists in conflict zones.
