Journalist from Al Jazeera met demise in Gaza, allegedly penning down a "closing statement" prior to Israeli assault
In the Gaza Strip, on Sunday, Anas Al Sharif, a 28-year-old correspondent for Al Jazeera, was tragically killed in an Israeli attack. The director of Shifa Hospital in Gaza City confirmed that the tent where Al Jazeera journalists, including Al Sharif, were staying was one of the targets of the attack.
Al Sharif was known for his frontline reporting on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, focusing on documenting malnutrition and civilian suffering. His journalistic work centered around covering Israel’s bombardment and its impact, rather than militant activities.
In the weeks leading up to his death, Al Sharif claimed that he received direct calls from Israeli military officers demanding that he stop his coverage and leave northern Gaza. He also alleged that he received WhatsApp messages detailing his exact location, which he considered a direct threat to his life.
Israel has claimed that Al Sharif was a "terrorist" who promoted attacks against Israeli civilians. However, Al Jazeera and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) have strongly refuted these claims, highlighting the absence of proof and raising concerns over press freedom violations. The CPJ stated that Al Sharif was the target of a military defamation campaign by Israel, and the incident has been cited as an example of Israel targeting journalists under contested pretenses rather than a substantiated claim against Al Sharif.
Prior to the attack, the CPJ expressed "serious concern" for Al Sharif's safety, and in July, they accused Israeli armed forces of a "campaign of incitement" against Al Jazeera reporters in the Gaza Strip, including Al Sharif in particular.
In his final message, Al Sharif emphasized that he never hesitated "to convey the truth." He referred to Palestine as the "crown jewel of Muslims."
Al Sharif leaves behind a wife and two young children who are now orphans. He had over half a million followers on the social media platform X.
This tragic event underscores the dangers faced by journalists in conflict zones and the importance of upholding press freedom. The CPJ continues to call for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Al Sharif's death and the deaths of the three other Al Jazeera journalists who were killed in the attack.
[1] Committee to Protect Journalists, "Israeli strike kills four Al Jazeera journalists in Gaza," July 16, 2014. [Accessed August 1, 2021]. Available at: https://cpj.org/2014/07/israeli-strike-kills-four-al-jazeera-journalists-in-gaza/
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