5 Al Jazeera Journalists Killed In IDF Attack In Gaza, Israel Claims Hamas Connections

Anas Al-Sharif (Photo Credit: @IDF/X)

At least five journalists were killed by an Israeli strike outside al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City on Sunday (local time). Meanwhile, the Israeli military also confirmed the killing of Anas Jamal al-Sharif and stated that he "posed as an Al Jazeera journalist" while allegedly working for Hamas.

Citing Al Jazeera, ANI reported that the deceased journalists included two Al Jazeera correspondents, Anas al-Sharif and Mohammed Qreiqeh, along with camera operators Ibrahim Zaher and Mohammed Noufal.

IDF Confirms Killing 

The Israel Defence Force (IDF) in a post on X, said that Al-Sharif was the head of a Hamas terrorist cell and advanced rocket attacks on Israeli civilians and IDF troops.

"STRUCK: Hamas terrorist Anas Al-Sharif, who posed as an Al Jazeera journalist. Al-Sharif was the head of a Hamas terrorist cell and advanced rocket attacks on Israeli civilians and IDF troops," the IDF wrote on X.

"Intelligence and documents from Gaza, including rosters, terrorist training lists and salary records, prove he was a Hamas operative integrated into Al Jazeera," the post added.

"A press badge isn’t a shield for terrorism," it added. 

STRUCK: Hamas terrorist Anas Al-Sharif, who posed as an Al Jazeera journalist

Al-Sharif was the head of a Hamas terrorist cell and advanced rocket attacks on Israeli civilians and IDF troops.
Intelligence and documents from Gaza, including rosters, terrorist training lists and… pic.twitter.com/ypFaEYDHse — Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) August 10, 2025

According to Al Jazeera, the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has been able to verify the killing of at least 186 journalists since October 7, 2023. At least 90 journalists have been imprisoned by Israel.

According to the news outlet, the Israeli military has been killing journalists, photographers, and local media workers in the Gaza Strip since the start of the war in an attempt to silence their reports.

Israel On Journalists In Gaza

This attack came hours after the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told foreign media he had decided to allow some foreign journalists into the Gaza Strip, Al Jazeera stated.

"In fact, we have decided, and I've ordered, directed the military, to bring in foreign journalists, more foreign journalists," Netanyahu said at the news conference in Jerusalem.

"There's a problem of assuring security, but I think it can be done in a way that is responsible and careful to preserve your own safety," he added.

National Press Club Condemns Killings

As per ANI, after the killing of five Al Jazeera staff, including correspondent Anas al-Sharif in Gaza City, the National Press Club on Monday said it is "saddened and troubled" by reports from Al Jazeera that its correspondent, Anas al-Sharif, was killed today in Gaza.

According to the National Press Club, the network said al-Sharif, 28, died after a tent for journalists outside the main gate of al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City was struck.

Furthermore, the statement noted that Al-Sharif was an Arabic-language correspondent and had reported extensively from northern Gaza throughout the current conflict.

"The killing of a journalist while working to inform the public is a loss felt far beyond one newsroom," said National Press Club President Mike Balsamo. "Journalists must be able to work without being targeted or killed. All parties in conflict zones must honor their obligations under international law to protect reporters and ensure they can carry out their work safely."

The National Press Club has called for a thorough and transparent examination of the circumstances surrounding al-Sharif's death and reaffirmed its commitment to defending the safety and independence of journalists worldwide.

(with ANI inputs)