Four Al Jazeera journalists were killed in an Israeli airstrike on their tent near Gaza City's Al-Shifa Hospital Sunday, sparking global outrage and conflicting narratives about their roles. The victims included correspondents Anas Al-Sharif and Mohammed Qreiqeh, along with cameramen Ibrahim Zaher and Mohammed Noufal. A fifth victim remains unidentified.
Conflicting Claims Emerge
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed Al-Sharif led a Hamas cell responsible for rocket attacks, citing recovered documents like 'salary records' and 'training lists.' Al Jazeera countered, stating there's 'zero evidence' of militant ties, with Gaza analyst Muhammad Shehada calling the allegations baseless.
Final Moments Captured
Al-Sharif's last social media post showed Gaza's night sky ablaze with explosions, captioned: 'Relentless bombardment… Israeli aggression has intensified.' The video has since gone viral, drawing attention to journalists' risks in conflict zones.
Global Press Freedom Concerns
Medical sources and Palestinian civil defense teams confirmed the journalists were directly targeted. The attack raises fresh questions about media safety amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, with press advocacy groups demanding investigations.
