Prominent Al Jazeera Journalists Killed in Israeli Airstrike
An Israeli airstrike killed five Al Jazeera journalists, including the network's chief correspondent in Gaza, Anas Al Sharif, in Gaza City on Sunday. Israeli officials have accused Al Sharif of being a Hamas operative, a claim strongly rejected by Al Jazeera. The strike, which has been condemned globally, took place outside al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City, where the journalists were stationed.
Background
Sharif, one of the most recognisable faces of Al Jazeera in Gaza, was previously threatened by Israel. He had been covering the conflict in Gaza for 22 months and had a following of two million followers. Sharif, along with Mohammed Qreiqeh and three other colleagues, were inside a media tent when the strike occurred. Seven people in total were killed in the attack, including Al Jazeera correspondents and camera operators.
The Attack and Its Aftermath
The airstrike was recorded in the last video by Al Sharif, showing the launch of missiles, one of which hit the tent where the journalists were. This precision attack has been described as a deliberate erasure of journalists who would not stop telling the truth.
The day after the attack, hundreds of mourners carried the bodies of the journalists through the streets of Gaza City. Sharif's colleagues have vowed to continue their work, and tributes have poured in for the journalists, remembering them as role models.
Mohammed Qreiqeh, another journalist killed in the attack, was praised for his eloquent reporting style. His last moments on air were spent reporting on the dire human conditions in Gaza, expressing optimism that the war would end.
Global Response
The strike has prompted condemnation from across the world. Sharif, in his last post, lamented the world's inaction to stop the 'massacre' of Palestinians. However, Israel accuses Sharif of being a Hamas commander, a charge Al Jazeera has vehemently denied.
The UN had also expressed concern for Sharif's life, given his prominence and the threats he had received. Amidst the devastation in Gaza, Sharif was more than a reporter, he was seen as a chronicler of the crisis.
Current Status
The situation remains tense in Gaza, with reports of an Israeli airstrike killing five Palestinians, including a woman and two children, in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza. As the conflict continues, the killing of the journalists has intensified the focus on the plight of Gaza and the need for an end to the violence.