Israeli Strike on Gaza kills 5 Al Jazeera journalists, IDF makes sensational claims, says one was a Hamas Operative, UN officials to…
New Delhi: In a major development, five Al Jazeera journalists were killed in an Israeli airstrike on Gaza City on Sunday. The Israeli military has alleged that one of them, Anas Al-Sharif, headed a Hamas cell. The Qatari network condemned the attack, denying the claims and calling it a direct assault on press freedom. Palestinian journalists' groups and UN officials have also criticised the strike, citing earlier warnings over Al-Sharif's safety.
The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) claimed that Anas Al-Sharif was the leader of a Hamas terrorist cell. According to its statement released by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF), Al-Sharif was responsible for advancing rocket attacks against Israeli civilians and troops. The military framed his killing as a targeted counterterrorism operation rather than an attack on media personnel.
Al Jazeera has vociferously rejected the allegations and called them unfounded, aimed at justifying the killing of a journalist who had reported from Gaza throughout the conflict. The network confirmed the deaths of Anas Al-Sharif, Mohammad Qraiqea, Ibrahim Zaher, Moamen Aliwa and Mohammed Noufal in the same strike. Here are some of the key details: UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression Irene Khan warned that Al-Sharif's life was at risk.
She said that Israel's accusations against him lacked substantiated evidence and risked being used to legitimise lethal targeting.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) requested the international community in July to take measures to ensure his safety.
Palestinian journalists' associations called the killings an extension of what they describe as a pattern of deliberate targeting of reporters in Gaza.
They say such incidents severely curtail the ability of the media to document conditions inside the enclave and erode the principle of press neutrality in conflict zones.
The Israeli military, however, maintains that militant operatives often embed themselves in civilian areas and media roles as a cover for operational activities.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
15 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
‘War crime': World condemns Israeli strike that killed 6 journalists in Gaza
Strong disapproval poured in from across the world after six journalists were killed in an Israeli strike on their tent in Gaza City on Sunday. Anas al-Sharif, an Al Jazeera reporter who had been extensively covering the war in Gaza, was also among those killed in the strike. Palestinians took to the streets to protest against the killing of journalists in Gaza.(Reuters) From the United Nations to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, global leaders and organisations have condemned Israel's strike on journalists in Gaza. Later, the Israeli military admitted to targeting al-Sharif, whom it had labelled as Hamas-affiliated "terrorist". "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. Anas Al-Sharif served as the head of a terrorist cell in the Hamas terrorist organisation and was responsible for advancing rocket attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF troops," the Israel defense forces said on Telegram. ALSO READ | Who were the journalists killed in Gaza Al Jazeera said that other members killed in the strike on the tent outside the main gate of the al-Shifa hospital were Mohammed Qreiqeh, and camera operators Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal and Moamen Aliwa. The sixth person who died in the attack was Mohammed Al-Khaldi, a Palestinian freelance journalist. Israel and Al Jazeera have had a conflicted relationship for several years, with Jerusalem banning the channel in the country and raiding its offices against the backdrop of the war in Gaza. Qatar, which partly funds Al Jazeera, also hosts an office for the Hamas political leadership, and has been a frequent venue for indirect talks between the militant group and Israel. Earlier in July, media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said that over 200 journalists had been killed in Gaza since the war began, including many of Al Jazeera's. The Hamas-run media office in Gaza said that 238 journalists have been killed since the war in Gaza began on October 7, 2023. As per the Committee to Protect Journalists, with Sunday's killing,at least 192 journalists have been killed since the start of the Israeli-Gaza war in October 2023. Of this, 184 journalists were Palestinians killed by Israel. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended his plan to take over Gaza and target the remaining Hamas strongholds, saying that it was "the best way to end the war". He said that the new operation would be implemented on a "fairly short timetable". World reacts to journalists' killing Reporters Without Borders condemned the "acknowledged murder by the Israeli army". The press freedom campaign group told news agency AFP that it "strongly and angrily condemns the acknowledged murder by the Israeli army" of Anas al-Sharif and other journalists after Israel labelled him a "terrorist" affiliated with Hamas and called on the global community to intervene. Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani also lambasted Israel for killing the Al Jazeera journalists, saying that the deaths are "crimes beyond imagination". In a post on X, he wrote, "The deliberate targeting of journalists by Israel in the Gaza Strip reveals how these crimes are beyond imagination... May God have mercy on journalists Anas Al-Sharif, Mohammed Qraiqea, and their colleagues." ALSO READ | Who was Anas Al-Sharif? Al Jazeera journalist killed in Israeli strike moments after posting Gaza videos The UN human rights agency also slammed Israel's killing of six journalists in Gaza as a "grave breach of international humanitarian law". In a post on X, the office of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, said, "Israel must respect and protect all civilians, including journalists." Turk's office noted that at least 242 Palestinian journalists have been killed in Gaza since Hamas' attacks on Israel triggered a war in the Middle East region on October 7, 2023. "We call for immediate, safe and unhindered access to Gaza for all journalists," it said. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also expressed 'grave concern''over the repeated targeting of journalists in Gaza, his spokesperson said on Monday. Media advocacy group, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), also condemned the attack and said that journalists should never be targeted in war. "Journalists are civilians. They must never be targeted in war. And to do so is a war crime," Jodie Ginsberg, the chief executive of CPJ, told AFP. CPJ had in July called for Anas al-Sharif's protection after an Israeli military spokesperson claimed that he was a militant. The group accused Israel of a "pattern" of labelling journalists militants "without providing credible evidence".
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
an hour ago
- First Post
Macron urges UN-led mission in Gaza amid Israeli military escalation
French President Emmanuel Macron has condemned Israel's decision to intensify its military operations in Gaza, calling it a 'catastrophe waiting to happen.' read more French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday called Israel's plans to intensify its military campaign in Gaza a 'catastrophe waiting to happen' and suggested forming an international coalition to manage the territory under a UN mandate. In a decision that garnered harsh domestic and international condemnation, Israel's security cabinet this week approved a plan to seize control of Gaza City, expanding its military operations in the broken Palestinian territory. 'The Israeli cabinet's announcement of an expansion of its operations in Gaza City and the Mawasi camps and for a re-occupation heralds a disaster of unprecedented gravity waiting to happen and of a drift towards a never-ending war,' said Macron, in remarks sent by his office to reporters. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'The Israeli hostages and the people of Gaza will continue to be the primary victims of this strategy,' added Macron. The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not immediately respond to a request for comment. He claimed Israel is 'applying force judiciously' in response to foreign criticism during a press conference on Sunday. By suggesting a UN-mandated mission in Gaza, Macron is attempting to capitalise on the momentum generated by his recognition of a Palestinian state last month, which sparked a chain reaction of recognitions with Britain and Canada following suit. According to Macron, the UN mission will be responsible for safeguarding people, securing the Gaza Strip, and assisting with an unidentified Palestinian government. He stated that the mission should be established by the UN Security Council. 'I have asked my teams to work on that with our partners without delay,' he added.
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Israel's New War Plan Includes Fighting in Gaza's Central Refugee Camps
JERUSALEM—Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the new war plan approved by Israel's security cabinet includes dismantling Hamas in Gaza's central refugee camps in addition to Gaza City, a broadening that comes as he faces criticism internationally for expanding the war and from the far-right wing his coalition for not going far enough. Israel's New War Plan Includes Fighting in Gaza's Central Refugee Camps The new war plan was approved just ahead of the weekend. An announcement by the prime minister's office at the time only mentioned that the military would prepare to take over Gaza City. Netanyahu revealed the previously undisclosed targeting of the central camps in comments to reporters Sunday. The more limited initial objectives announced last week—after Netanyahu had touted a takeover of the entire Gaza Strip—were criticized by far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich as too incremental. 'They decided once again to do the same thing and head for a military campaign that doesn't aim for decisive victory, but just pressuring Hamas to go for a partial hostage deal,' Smotrich said in a video statement on Saturday. A tent camp houses Palestinians displaced by the Israeli military offensive, in Gaza City. 'Unfortunately, for the first time since the start of the war I feel I cannot stand behind this decision and back it,' Smotrich said, adding that he had lost confidence that Netanyahu wanted to defeat Hamas. Israel also came under heavy pressure internationally over its decision to expand the war as well as earlier moves that sharply restricted the flow of food into Gaza and pushed many Palestinians closer to starvation. Germany said last week that it would restrict arms sales to Israel, while European countries and the U.K. criticized the war plan. The prime minister's ruling coalition relies on the support of far-right lawmakers like Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. Netanyahu has had to balance their demands with the views of his military and pressure from international partners since the beginning of the war in Gaza, which was sparked by Hamas's deadly attack on Israel nearly two years ago. 'Last Thursday, Israel's security cabinet instructed the IDF to dismantle the remaining Hamas strongholds in Gaza city and the central camps,' Netanyahu said, during a news conference for foreign journalists, referring to the acronym for the Israeli military. Netanyahu offered few details of the new plan or how the central camps would fit into it on Sunday. He said the military would evacuate the population before the assault to 'designated safe zones,' where they would be provided with humanitarian aid. He declined to provide a timeline for the operation, but said Israel hoped to complete it quickly so it could end the war Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has faced criticism from the far-right wing of his coalition for not being aggressive enough in going after Hamas. Israeli authorities say it will begin with the goal of seizing control of Gaza City—the biggest population center in the north of the strip. Military analysts said it could play out over weeks or months, reflecting serious resource constraints that are likely to limit the pace and scope of military operations. Under the plan, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians face the prospect of further displacement and new rounds of deadly fighting. More than 60,000 people have been killed in Gaza during the war, according to Palestinian health authorities, who don't say how many were combatants. Some analysts said Israel appears to hope the increased military pressure will bring Hamas back to the negotiating table on its terms and could pause the operation at any point. Israel says it currently controls up to 75% of the Gaza Strip. Around two million Gazans are crammed into Gaza City, the seaside tent encampment at Al-Mawasi, and the central camps. Invasion of those areas would squeeze the population to an ever shrinking territory amid a worsening humanitarian crisis. The new plan will require the country to call up a large number of soldiers. The military already faces severe manpower strains, and reservists are exhausted from almost two years of war in Gaza, Syria, Lebanon and the West Bank. Polls in Israel have shown for months that a large majority of the population, including right-wingers, support ending the Gaza war in exchange for freedom for the remaining hostages held by Hamas. Tens of thousands of Israelis took to the streets of Israel on Saturday to protest Netanyahu's expansion of the war, in one of the largest antiwar demonstrations in recent months. Write to Anat Peled at
