Israel Admits Foreign Press Access Could Disrupt Targeted Killings of Gaza Journalists
August 11, 2025
Israel’s Systematic Attacks on Palestinian Journalists Are a Global Assault on Press Freedom
August 11, 2025
August 11, 2025 – AJMN
Al Jazeera journalists and staff gathered at the network’s Doha headquarters for a solemn moment of silence to honour five colleagues killed in an Israeli airstrike outside al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. The strike, which occurred near a designated press tent, claimed the lives of correspondent Anas al-Sharif, cameraman Mohammed Qreiqeh, sound technician Ibrahim Zaher, and crew members Mohammed Noufal and Moamen Aliwa.
The airstrike reportedly targeted the area as the journalists were on assignment. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) later alleged that al-Sharif had ties to Hamas, claims that Al Jazeera strongly rejected. The network stated that all five victims were engaged in their professional duties and accused Israel of carrying out a “targeted assassination” aimed at silencing independent reporting from Gaza.
Al Jazeera described the moment of silence as both a tribute to the fallen and an act of defiance against the increasing dangers journalists face in conflict zones. Network representatives reaffirmed their commitment to continuing coverage despite escalating threats and losses.
The incident has drawn widespread condemnation from press freedom organisations, who argue that journalists are civilians protected under international law and must not be deliberately targeted. Groups including the International Federation of Journalists and Reporters Without Borders have called for an independent investigation into the killings, urging accountability and justice.
This latest attack adds to the mounting toll on media workers in Gaza, where dozens of journalists have been killed since the escalation of hostilities. Al Jazeera and rights advocates stress that such losses not only devastate families and newsrooms but also deprive the public of critical, on-the-ground reporting in a time of war.
As the names of the slain were read aloud during the Doha tribute, colleagues expressed their grief and vowed to keep their memories alive by upholding the principles for which they worked. The network’s leadership reiterated that no act of violence will deter its mission to document events and bear witness to the realities faced by civilians in Gaza.
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