Gaza: 5 Al Jazeera journalists killed in Israeli airstrikes, IDF alleges Hamas link

New Delhi: Five Al Jazeera journalists were reportedly killed in an Israeli airstrike near Gaza City's Al-Shifa Hospital. The journalists killed were identified as Anas al-Sharif, Mohammed Qreiqeh, cameraman Ibrahim Zaher, Moamen Aliwa, and Mohammed Noufal. The journalists and camerpersons were among the 7 people who died after the Israeli Army attacked a tent meant for the press right outside the gate of the hospital.

Soon after the airstrike the Israeli military admitted to targeting the tent meant for the press. They said that their main target was Anas al-Sharif, who they described as a "terrorist", saying he had "served as the head of a terrorist cell in Hamas".

The 28-year-old journalist Al-Sharif was reportedly posting something on 'X' when he was hit. He was reporting about the intensified Israeli bombardment within Gaza City. He died moments before he could make his post on 'X'. A post which seemed to be pre-written was later posted by one of his friends from Sharif's account.

The post came after the death of the journalist.

In his post on 'X', the deceased journalist wrote, "If these words of mine reach you, know that Israel has succeeded in killing me and silencing my voice."

This is the latest death of a journalist in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. At least 200 journalists have been killed in the war so far, say media watchdogs.

In a statement released after the death of Sharif, Al Jazeera, the media house he worked for, released a statement. They said, "Al Jazeera journalist Anas al-Sharif has been killed alongside four colleagues in a targeted Israeli attack on a tent housing journalists in Gaza City."

The broadcaster further said, "Al-Sharif, 28, was killed on Sunday after a tent for journalists outside the main gate of the hospital was hit. The well-known Al Jazeera Arabic correspondent reported extensively from northern Gaza."

The Qatar-based news outlet confirmed the death of 5 of its employees,identifying each of the deceased by name.

Israel confirmed that it had carried out the strike. They said that they struck Al Jazeera's al-Sharif and labelled him a terrorist. In a post on 'X', Israel Defence Forces said, ""A short while ago, in Gaza City, the IDF struck the terrorist Anas Al-Sharif, who posed as a journalist for the Al Jazeera network."

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According to the Defence Forces, the Al-Sharif was a terrorist who was responsible for advancing rocket attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF troops.