Al Jazeera responds after journalists killed by Israeli strike: "Another blatant and premeditated attack on press freedom"

Al Jazeera Media Network has responded after five of its journalists were killed by an Israeli strike in Gaza this past weekend.

In a statement published today, Al Jazeera condemned what they called a "targeted assassination" of their journalists "in yet another blatant and premeditated attack on press freedom."

Correspondents Anas Al Sharif and Mohammed Qraiqea, along with photographers Ibrahim Al Thaher, Mohamed Nofal and Moamen Aliwa, were reportedly in a tent designated for journalists at the gates of Gaza's Al-Shifa Hospital when it was struck.

Al Jazeera referenced a post from the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) confirming that Al Sharif, a prominent frontline reporter, was targeted. The IDF had made unsubstantiated claims that Al Sharif was a Hamas operative, which Al Jazeera and various human rights organisations argued was a lie created to justify Israel's killing of Palestinian journalists.

"The order to assassinate Anas Al Sharif, one of Gaza's bravest journalists, and his colleagues, is a desperate attempt to silence the voices exposing the impending seizure and occupation of Gaza," Al Jazeera wrote.

"As Al Jazeera Media Network bids farewell to yet another group of its finest journalists, who boldly and courageously documented the plight of Gaza and its people since the onset of the war, it holds the Israeli occupation forces and government responsible for deliberately targeting and assassinating its journalists."

Israeli authorities banned the entry of international journalists to Gaza, but some journalists — particularly Palestinian journalists — remained, including those reporting for Al Jazeera.

"Anas and his colleagues were among the last remaining voices from within Gaza, providing the world with unfiltered, on-the-ground coverage of the devastating realities endured by its people," Al Jazeera wrote.

"Through continuous, courageous live coverage, they have delivered searing eyewitness accounts of the horrors unleashed over 22 months of relentless bombing and destruction."

Al Jazeera called on the international community to take action "to halt this ongoing genocide and end the deliberate targeting of journalists" by holding Israel accountable and ending immunity for Israel. They wrote that failing to do so would "encourage further oppression against witnesses to the truth."

Al Jazeera reported that hundreds of Palestinians attended the funeral for the slain journalists today.

Public outcry has poured in following the news.

Sara Qudah, regional director of the Committee to Protect Journalists, condemned Israel for what she said was "murder, plain and simple."

"Israel is murdering the messengers," Qudah said.

"If Israel can kill the most prominent Gazan journalist, then it can kill anyone. The world needs to see these deadly attacks on journalists inside Gaza, as well as its censorship of journalists in Israel and the West Bank, for what they are: a deliberate and systematic attempt to cover up Israel’s actions."

The Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) put out a statement following news of the journalists' killing, calling it "utterly criminal."

"The apartheid state does not want its genocide reported," IPSC wrote.

"It can murder unprecedented numbers of journalists because of impunity. When they murdered Shireen Abu Akleh and faced zero consequences, they were given the green light to continue. Shame on the so-called international community, including Ireland."

The Embassy of the State of Palestine in Ireland demanded action from the international community in a post on X.

"Anyone in this world concerned with press freedom must take action to hold the occupation accountable & halt its ongoing crimes against our people," the embassy wrote.

After Israel announced it would intensify its military offensive in Gaza, it targets journalists to silence witnesses, obscure the truth, & conceal its war crimes.

Anyone in this world concerned with press freedom must take action to hold the occupation accountable & halt its… https://t.co/PvE0sdMVgP

— Embassy of the State of Palestine to Ireland (@IrePalestine) August 11, 2025

Many social media users have expressed their condolences to the journalists' families and their condemnation of Israel.

Former Al Jazeera editor Barry Malone wrote "I’m sorry but I’m enraged...He [Al Sharif] was our eyes. And that’s why they killed him." John Simpson, world affairs editor for BBC News, said he was "deeply shocked" by the news.

Al Sharif's loved ones posted a message on X which the journalist requested be published upon his death.

"If these words reach you, know that Israel has succeeded in killing me and silencing my voice," the post read.

"I have lived through pain in all its details, tasted suffering and loss many times, yet I never once hesitated to convey the truth as it is, without distortion or falsification...Do not forget Gaza."

This is my will and my final message. If these words reach you, know that Israel has succeeded in killing me and silencing my voice. First, peace be upon you and Allah’s mercy and blessings.

Allah knows I gave every effort and all my strength to be a support and a voice for my…

— أنس الشريف Anas Al-Sharif (@AnasAlSharif0) August 10, 2025