Millions recognized Anas Al-Sharif as a symbol of the conflict in Gaza. Subsequently, Israel ended his life.
Prominent Al Jazeera Journalist Anas Al-Sharif Killed in Israeli Airstrike
Anas Al-Sharif, a prominent Al Jazeera journalist in Gaza, was tragically killed in an Israeli military airstrike on August 10, 2025, while reporting from the frontlines near Al Shifa Hospital in northern Gaza.
The hospital director, Dr. Mohammad Abu Salmiya, stated that Al-Sharif was in a tent marked with a 'Press' sign near the hospital entrance when he was killed. Seven people were killed in the same strike, according to Dr. Abu Salmiya.
Israel claimed responsibility for the strike and accused Al-Sharif of being a leader of a Hamas cell involved in advancing rocket attacks against Israel. However, Al Jazeera and independent organizations have dismissed these allegations as baseless, stating that Al-Sharif was targeted solely for his coverage of Israel’s bombardment and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) condemned the strike, emphasizing Israel’s pattern of labeling journalists as militants without credible evidence, which raises serious concerns about press freedom and intent. Al-Sharif had previously expressed fears for his safety, having appealed to the Committee to Protect Journalists to protect him from possible assassination.
This attack is part of a broader pattern during the ongoing war that has resulted in the deaths of at least 178 Palestinian journalists and media workers, making it a significant issue of concern in the context of the conflict and international law regarding the protection of journalists in warzones.
Prior to joining Al Jazeera, Al-Sharif was a professional cameraman who gained fame after his social media footage of Israeli strikes in Jabalya went viral. Tragically, his father was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Jabalya shortly after he began appearing on Al Jazeera.
Al-Sharif gained prominence in Al Jazeera as many of its well-known journalists in Gaza were killed or injured by Israeli strikes. Mohammed Qreiqeh, Ibrahim Al Thaher, Moamen Aliwa, and Mohammed Noufal were also killed in the same strike, according to Al Jazeera.
Al-Sharif was buried in Gaza on Monday in a funeral that attracted large crowds of Palestinian mourners. The CPJ also condemned Israel's practice of accusing journalists of being terrorists without providing any credible proof.
Al Jazeera is one of the few global news outlets broadcasting live from Gaza during the conflict. Al-Sharif wrote a will before his death, stating that he never hesitated to convey the truth without distortion or falsification.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) accused Al-Sharif of leading a Hamas cell in Gaza that orchestrated rocket attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF forces. However, the IDF did not respond to CNN's request for comment regarding the targeted killing of Al-Sharif. The IDF published documents claiming unequivocal proof of Al-Sharif's ties to Hamas and named five other Al Jazeera journalists who it said were part of the militant group.
Al-Sharif appeared on Al Jazeera nearly every day since he started his job. His reports attracted the attention of the Israeli military, which warned him to stop his work for Al Jazeera. Despite the risks, Al-Sharif continued to provide first-hand accounts of the conflict and its humanitarian toll, making him a respected and influential figure in Gaza.
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