The killing of five Al Jazeera journalists in an Israeli drone strike on Gaza has triggered international outrage and calls for urgent accountability.
The attack late on Sunday struck a tent for journalists outside al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, killing seven people in total. Among them were correspondent Mohammed Qreiqeh, and cameramen Ibrahim Zaher, Moamen Aliwa, and Mohammed Noufal. A sixth journalist, freelance reporter Mohammad al-Khaldi, also died, while three others were injured.
One of the victims, Anas al-Sharif, 28, was widely known for his fearless reporting from northern Gaza. Just hours before his death, he had posted about Israel’s “intense, concentrated bombardment” of Gaza City.
The Al Jazeera Media Network condemned the attack as a “targeted assassination” of its staff, while Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said the Israeli military admitted to targeting al-Sharif, echoing the 2023 killing of journalist Ismail al-Ghoul.
The Palestinian mission to the UN accused Israel of deliberately assassinating some of Gaza’s last remaining journalists to silence coverage of alleged war crimes. Hamas described it as part of a “widespread targeting of journalists unprecedented in any war.”
Human Rights Watch condemned the killings as a “brazen targeted attack” reflecting a complete disregard for civilian life, while the National Press Club in the US called for a “thorough and transparent investigation.”
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) labeled the attack a war crime, urging journalists worldwide to stand in solidarity with their Palestinian colleagues. CAIR’s director, Nihad Awad, said:
> “The murder of these Al Jazeera journalists is not an accident or collateral damage – it is part of a documented policy to silence media voices and hide the truth of the genocide in Gaza.”
Calls are mounting for the UN Security Council and international bodies to take strong action to protect journalists in conflict zones, warning that without accountability, such killings will continue.