Al Jazeera has reported that four of its journalists have been killed in an Israeli strike near Gaza City’s Al-Shifa Hospital.
According to Al Jazeera’s report, correspondents Anas al-Sharif and Mohammed Qreiqeh, along with cameramen Ibrahim Zaher and Mohammed Noufal, were located in a tent designated for journalists at the hospital’s main gate when the area was targeted.
Two weeks prior to the incident, Al Jazeera condemned the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) for what it described as a “campaign of incitement” directed against its reporters in Gaza, which included al-Sharif.
Shortly after the strike, the IDF confirmed the strike on Anas al-Sharif, alleging via Telegram that he “served as the head of a terrorist cell in Hamas”.
The IDF’s statement made no mention of the other journalists killed in the incident. The BBC has reached out to Al Jazeera for comment.
Al-Sharif, 28, appeared to be active on X shortly before his death, posting warnings about intense Israeli bombardment within Gaza City.
A post published after his reported death seems to have been pre-written and shared by a friend.
BBC Verify has confirmed the authenticity of two graphic videos depicting the aftermath of the strike, showing individuals carrying the bodies of the deceased. Voices can be heard calling out Mohammed Qreiqeh’s name, and a person wearing a press vest identifies one of the bodies as that of Anas Al-Sharif.
In July, the Al Jazeera Media Network released a statement denouncing the IDF’s “relentless efforts” and “ongoing campaign of incitement targeting Al Jazeera’s correspondents and journalists in the Gaza Strip”.
“The Network considers this incitement a dangerous attempt to justify the targeting of its journalists in the field,” the statement added.
The IDF statement accused al-Sharif of misrepresenting himself as a journalist, asserting that he was “responsible for advancing rocket attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF troops”.
The IDF further stated that it had previously “disclosed intelligence” confirming his military affiliation, citing “lists of terrorist training courses”.
“Prior to the strike, steps were taken to mitigate harm to civilians, including the use of precise munition, aerial surveillance, and additional intelligence,” the statement concluded.
According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, 186 journalists have been confirmed killed since the beginning of Israel’s military offensive in Gaza in October 2023.
Additional reporting by Shayan Sardarizadeh, BBC Verify
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