UN condemns deadly Israeli strike that killed six journalists in Gaza
By DL News
Published
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The attack, carried out on Sunday, claimed the lives of five Al Jazeera journalists—including prominent correspondent Anas al-Sharif—and a freelance reporter.
The United Nations human rights office has denounced an Israeli airstrike in Gaza that killed six journalists, describing it as a serious violation of international law and urging immediate protection for media workers.
The attack, carried out on Sunday, claimed the lives of five Al Jazeera journalists—including prominent correspondent Anas al-Sharif—and a freelance reporter. Israel’s military said Sharif led a Hamas “terrorist cell,” a claim he had previously denied and for which limited evidence has been provided.
While the BBC has previously seen material allegedly linking him to Hamas activities, it could not independently verify any current involvement.
Funerals for Sharif, fellow correspondent Mohammed Qreiqeh, cameramen Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal, and Moamen Aliwa, as well as Mohammad al-Khaldi, were held on Monday, drawing large crowds in Gaza City. Media rights groups, including Reporters Without Borders and the Committee to Protect Journalists, condemned the strike as an assassination and accused Israel of a pattern of branding Palestinian reporters as militants without proof.
The UK government has called for an independent investigation, while the UN urged safe and unhindered access to Gaza for journalists. The Foreign Press Association expressed outrage over what it described as a targeted killing.
According to the CPJ, at least 186 journalists have been killed since the start of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza in October 2023 — the deadliest period for journalists in three decades of record-keeping.
The incident comes amid worsening humanitarian conditions in Gaza, with the Hamas-run health ministry reporting five more malnutrition-related deaths in the past day, including one child. The total number of starvation-related fatalities has now reached 222. UN agencies warn that aid deliveries remain far below urgent needs, while Israel insists there is no famine and blames logistical delays on humanitarian groups.
The war began after Hamas’ October 7 attack on southern Israel, which killed about 1,200 people and saw over 250 taken hostage. Gaza’s health ministry says more than 61,000 have been killed in Israel’s retaliatory offensive.
