Latest news with #Qatar-based
Observer
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Observer
5 journalists killed in Israeli strike: Report
Al Jazeera said two of its correspondents, including a prominent reporter, and three cameramen were killed in an Israeli strike on their tent in Gaza City on Sunday. The Israeli military admitted in a statement to targeting Anas al-Sharif, the reporter. The attack was the latest to see journalists targeted in the 22-month war in Gaza, with around 200 media workers killed throughout the conflict, according to media watchdogs. "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 Qatar-based broadcaster 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 reportedly traveled extensively from northern Gaza." The channel said that five of its staff members were killed during the strike on a tent in Gaza City, listing the others as Mohammed Qreiqeh, along with camera operators Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal, and Moamen Aliwa. Al-Sharif was one of the channel's most recognisable faces working on the ground in Gaza, providing daily reports in regular coverage. Following a press conference by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday, where the premier defended approving a new offensive in Gaza, al-Sharif posted messages on X describing "intense, concentrated Israeli bombardment" on Gaza City. One of his final messages included a short video showing nearby Israeli strikes hitting Gaza City. With Gaza sealed off, many media groups around the world, including AFP, depend on photo, video, and text coverage of the conflict provided by Palestinian reporters. Media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said in early July that more than 200 journalists had been killed in Gaza since the war began, including several Al Jazeera journalists. International criticism is growing over the plight of the more than two million Palestinian civilians in Gaza, with UN agencies and rights groups warning that a famine is unfolding in the territory.
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First Post
4 hours ago
- Politics
- First Post
How long does Netanyahu intend to keep Gaza under Israeli occupation? He keeps everyone guessing
Although intense strikes have continued in Gaza City and neighbouring areas, the army has not yet mobilised soldiers, who will most likely facilitate the operation of annexing the region read more While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared plans to capture Gaza City, it is still not clear how such a takeover would be set in motion, as leaders within and outside Palestine say that a possible capture of the region would prolong the war and the suffering of Palestinian civilians. Observers and officials within the government are torn on Bibi's plan, with the Israeli left warning that a takeover would endanger the remaining hostages and the right saying the move will not be enough to destroy Hamas. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The occupation of Gaza City will mark an escalation in a war that has already killed tens of thousands of Palestinians, most of them civilians, as per an admission from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. As Gaza City is one of the few places from which Israel has not yet expelled Palestinians, tens of thousands of people are expected to be displaced in the upcoming Israeli offensive to occupy the city. No clarity Although Netanyahu has made broad statements, Israel's military has yet to finalise a detailed tactical plan. There has been no public clarity on when the occupation of the city will start, how long it will last, or how it will differ from Israel's seizure of Gaza City in the early months of the 2023 war. Last week, Israel's Security Cabinet approved the takeover of Gaza City. 'The IDF [Israel Defense Forces] will prepare for the takeover of Gaza City while ensuring the provision of humanitarian aid to the civilian population outside the combat zones,' the PMO said in a statement. Although intense strikes have continued in Gaza City and neighbouring areas, the army has not yet mobilised soldiers, who will most likely facilitate the operation of annexing the region. Mediators continue efforts to broker a truce between Israel and Hamas, and some Israeli officials suggest that Netanyahu's announcement of a major escalation, paired with a delay in carrying it out, may be aimed at pressuring Hamas to offer greater concessions in the talks. Journalists killed in Gaza Al Jazeera said two of its correspondents, including a prominent reporter, and three cameramen were killed in an Israeli strike on their tent in Gaza City on Sunday. The Israeli military admitted in a statement to targeting Anas al-Sharif, the reporter it labelled as a 'terrorist' affiliated with Hamas. The attack was the latest to see journalists targeted in the 22-month war in Gaza, with around 200 media workers killed over the course of the conflict, according to media watchdogs. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD '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 Qatar-based broadcaster said. With inputs from agencies
L'Orient-Le Jour
15 hours ago
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Al Jazeera journalists hold vigil for staff slain in Gaza
Al Jazeera staff gathered at the news network's Doha headquarters on Monday for a televised memorial for five colleagues killed by Israel overnight in Gaza. Anas al-Sharif, a recognizable face on the channel, correspondent Mohammed Qreiqeh and camera operators Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal and Moamen Aliwa were killed in the Israeli attack on Sunday. Scores congregated in an Al Jazeera Arabic studio and newsroom in the Qatari capital to condemn the killings, promising to continue their reporting on the 22-month war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Some held pictures of the journalists killed in a strike on their tent in Gaza City in the north of the Palestinian territory. Among those present in Doha were Al Jazeera's Gaza bureau chief Wael al-Dahdouh, whose wife and children were killed in Israeli strikes, and camera operator Fadi Al Wahidi who was left paralyzed by a gunshot wound to the neck while reporting in the territory. "Every time we lose a loved one and a colleague, we lose a part of this... family of journalists. This is something extremely difficult and painful," Dahdouh told AFP following the vigil. "We stand in solidarity... and we take whatever action we can, but blatant attacks against international law and against everything continue," he added. The Israeli military confirmed that it had carried out the attack on Al-Sharif, alleging that he was a "terrorist" who "posed as a journalist." Tamer Almisshal, a senior presenter at Al Jazeera overseeing coverage in Gaza, told AFP the Israeli assertions were "fabricated" and "baseless", adding that it was not the first time the Qatar-based channel's journalists in Gaza had been accused of being affiliated with militant groups after being killed. "Israel, by killing and targeting our correspondents and our team in Gaza, they want to kill the truth," Almisshal added. In July, the Committee to Protect Journalists called for Sharif's protection and accused the Israeli military of carrying out online attacks on the reporter by claiming that he was a member of Hamas. With Gaza sealed off, many media groups around the world, including AFP, depend on photo, video and text coverage of the conflict provided by Palestinian reporters. Media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said in early July that more than 200 journalists had been killed in Gaza since the war began, including several Al Jazeera journalists. Al-Dahdouh explained those journalists still in Gaza "face attacks, murder, fear, hunger, displacement, thirst... after a while, we couldn't recognise many of our colleagues because they had simply lost half their body weight." "Their love for this profession... keeps them connected and carrying out this duty," he added.
UPI
17 hours ago
- Politics
- UPI
Palestinian journalists killed by Israel mourned in Gaza funeral
1 of 4 | Mourners attend the funeral of Al Jazeera journalists Anas Al Sharif, Mohammed Qreiqeh, Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal and Moamen Aliwa, who were killed in an Israeli strike, in Gaza City, on Monday. An Israeli drone strike hit a tent sheltering Al Jazeera journalists near Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza, killing seven members of the press. Photo by Mahmoud Issa/UPI | License Photo Aug. 11 (UPI) -- Hundreds of mourners in Gaza gathered for the funerals of five Al Jazeera journalists killed by an Israeli strike on a press tent. The strike killed five reporters working for Al Jazeera, a Qatar-based news organization. The five were reporter Anas al-Sharif, correspondent Mohammed Qreiqeh, and video journalists Ibrahim Zaher, Moamen Aliwa, and Mohammed Noufal. Freelance reporter Mohammed al-Khaldi was also among those killed. There were seven journalists in total killed. Al-Sharif, 28, was a popular reporter in Gaza. Israel alleged Sunday that Al-Sharif was a member of Hamas. Al Jazeera called that allegation false. Al Jazeera condemned the "targeted assassination" by Israeli forces, and accused the Israeli Defense Forces of deliberately striking the journalists. "The Israeli military admitted to their crimes," the network said, describing the attack as "another blatant and premeditated assault on press freedom." Footage verified by Al Jazeera showed mourners chanting slogans against the killings, saying, "With our soul and blood, we sacrifice for you, Anas." They carried the bodies of the journalists, covered in flags and press flak jackets, on their shoulders from al-Shifa Hospital to Sheikh Radwan Cemetery in central Gaza. The press tent where the attack happened was outside the al-Shifa Hospital. The Committee to Protect Journalists said it was "appalled" by the killings. "Israel's pattern of labeling journalists as militants without providing credible evidence raises serious questions about its intent and respect for press freedom," CPJ's regional director, Sara Qudah, said in a statement. "Those responsible for these killings must be held accountable." The United Nations Human Rights Office has condemned the killing of journalists in Gaza, calling it a "grave breach of international humanitarian law," CNN reported. "We condemn the killing by Israeli military of six Palestinian journalists by targeting their tent, in grave breach of international humanitarian law," the United Nations said on X, adding that "Israel must respect & protect all civilians, including journalists." At least 242 Palestinian journalists have been killed in Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023, the U.N. said, calling for immediate and safe access for all journalists to Gaza. The Committee to Protect Journalists says the number is 178.
Sharjah 24
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Sharjah 24
5 journalists killed in Israeli strike in Gaza
The Israeli military admitted in a statement to targeting Anas al-Sharif, the reporter it labelled as a "terrorist" affiliated with Hamas. The attack was the latest to see journalists targeted in the 22-month war in Gaza, with around 200 media workers killed over the course of the conflict, according to media watchdogs. "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 Qatar-based broadcaster 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 reportedly extensively from northern Gaza." The channel said that five of its staff members were killed during the strike on a tent in Gaza City, listing the others as Mohammed Qreiqeh along with camera operators Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal and Moamen Aliwa. The Israeli military confirmed that it had carried out the attack, saying it had struck Al Jazeera's al-Sharif and calling him a "terrorist" who "posed as a journalist". "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," it said on Telegram, using an acronym for the military. "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," it added. Al-Sharif was one of the channel's most recognisable faces working on the ground in Gaza, providing daily reports in regular coverage. Following a press conference by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday, where the premier defended approving a new offensive in Gaza, al-Sharif posted messages on X describing "intense, concentrated Israeli bombardment" on Gaza City. One of his final messages included a short video showing nearby Israeli strikes hitting Gaza City. In July, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued a statement calling for his protection as it accused the Israeli military's Arabic-language spokesperson Avichay Adraee of stepping up online attacks on the reporter by alleging that he was a Hamas terrorist. Following the attack, the CPJ said it was "appalled" to learn of the journalists' deaths. "Israel's pattern of labelling journalists as militants without providing credible evidence raises serious questions about its intent and respect for press freedom," said CPJ Regional Director Sara Qudah. "Journalists are civilians and must never be targeted. Those responsible for these killings must be held accountable." The Palestinian Journalists' Syndicate condemned what it described as a "bloody crime" of assassination. Israel and Al Jazeera have had a contentious relationship for years, with Israeli authorities banning the channel in the country and raiding its offices following the latest war in Gaza. Qatar, which partly funds Al Jazeera, has hosted an office for the Hamas political leadership for years and been a frequent venue for indirect talks between Israel and the militant group. Sealed off With Gaza sealed off, many media groups around the world, including AFP, depend on photo, video and text coverage of the conflict provided by Palestinian reporters. Media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said in early July that more than 200 journalists had been killed in Gaza since the war began, including several Al Jazeera journalists. International criticism is growing over the plight of the more than two million Palestinian civilians in Gaza, with UN agencies and rights groups warning that a famine is unfolding in the territory. The targeted strike comes as Israel announced plans to expand its military operations on the ground in Gaza, with Netanyahu saying on Sunday that the new offensive was set to target the remaining Hamas strongholds there. He also announced a plan to allow more foreign journalists to report inside Gaza with the military, as he laid out his vision for victory in the territory. A UN official warned the Security Council that Israel's plans to control Gaza City risked "another calamity" with far-reaching consequences. "If these plans are implemented, they will likely trigger another calamity in Gaza, reverberating across the region and causing further forced displacement, killings, and destruction," UN Assistant Secretary General Miroslav Jenca told the Security Council.
