Six Al Jazeera personnel, including two journalists and four crew members, were killed in an Israeli airstrike targeting a media tent in Gaza City, according to the Qatar-based satellite channel. Gaza’s Civil Defence and a hospital official confirmed the death toll rose to six following the death of freelance photojournalist Mohammed Al-Khaldi from his wounds.
Among the victims was prominent Al Jazeera Gaza reporter Anas al-Sharif, 28. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) stated they deliberately targeted al-Sharif, calling him a “journalist-terrorist” and alleging he commanded a Hamas cell while masking his identity. Ynet reported the IDF claimed intelligence documents proved his terrorist affiliation and rocket attack planning, accusations Al Jazeera had previously denied. Mohammed Abu Salmiya, director of Al-Shifa hospital near the strike site, confirmed Al-Khaldi’s death.
Separately, an Israeli airstrike killed eight members of a single family in Gaza City’s al-Zeitoun neighbourhood early Tuesday, Palestinian news agency Wafa reported, citing medical sources.
The Italian National Press Federation (FNSI) condemned the journalists’ killings, demanding Israel publicly provide credible evidence for its allegations against al-Sharif. The FNSI questioned how such claims justified killing four other media workers and urged international journalist organizations and the International Criminal Court to investigate what it called a potential war crime and violation of press freedom.
Al Jazeera Media Network strongly condemned the “targeted assassination” of its staff as a “blatant and premeditated attack on press freedom.” Al Jazeera English’s acting director, Salah Negm, told the BBC that Israel’s unsubstantiated claims labelling Gaza journalists as terrorists were “ridiculous.” Negm emphasized Al Jazeera vets its journalists’ backgrounds and output, stating such deliberate killings of identifiable media personnel, with perpetrators remaining unpunished, were unprecedented in his 40-year career.
Amidst international criticism, Israel continues its military operations in Gaza. Meanwhile, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced Australia will formally recognize a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September, asserting a two-state solution is essential for lasting peace.