“A Press Badge Isn’t A Shield For Terrorism”: Israel On Al Jazeera Journalists Killed In Airstrike

At least five journalists were killed in an Israeli airstrike near Gaza City’s Al-Shifa Hospital, broadcaster Al Jazeera has claimed, the Indian Express reported.

The Israeli military acknowledged the attack, stating it had targeted and killed Anas al-Sharif, a Hamas cell leader posing as an Al Jazeera journalist, on Sunday (10 August).

According to Al Jazeera, reporters Anas al-Sharif and Mohammed Qreiqeh, along with camerapersons Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal, and Moamen Aliwa, were in a tent for journalists at the hospital’s main gate when the strikes hit, killing all five.

Two weeks earlier, the Qatari broadcaster had accused the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) of a “campaign of incitement” against its Gaza-based reporters, including al-Sharif.

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Following the strike, the IDF confirmed it had targeted him, posting on X, “STRUCK: Hamas terrorist Anas Al-Sharif, who posed as an Al Jazeera journalist."

Citing intelligence and documents found in Gaza, the Israeli military said, “Al-Sharif was the head of a Hamas terrorist cell and advanced rocket attacks on Israeli civilians and IDF troops. Intelligence and documents from Gaza, including rosters, terrorist training lists and salary records, prove he was a Hamas operative integrated into Al Jazeera.”

It further wrote that “A press badge isn’t a shield for terrorism.”

The IDF statement acknowledged killing one journalist, Anas al-Sharif, while Al Jazeera said four journalists and an assistant had died in the strike.

In July, Al Jazeera had criticised the “relentless efforts” by the IDF in what it called “an ongoing campaign of incitement targeting Al Jazeera’s correspondents and journalists in the Gaza Strip.”

Hamas claimed the killing of journalists could mark the start of a broader Israeli offensive. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to take over Gaza City despite mounting criticism.

Palestinian journalists’ associations condemned what they described as targeted killings of journalists in Gaza.

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