Al Jazeera reporter death: Al Jazeera Arabic reporter Anas Al-Sharif, aged 28, was killed with four other journalists in an Israeli air attack close to Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City yesterday, shortly after he uploaded videos of the heavy bombardment. The journalist’s pre-written “last will and testament,” posted on his social media account, has sparked widespread reaction and condemnation. The strike hit a clearly marked press tent outside the hospital, as reported by Al Jazeera. Gaza health officials confirmed at least two additional deaths in the incident. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said the attack highlights “an acute risk” faced by media personnel in the war zone.
In his farewell note, Al-Sharif wrote, “If these words reach you, know that Israel has succeeded in killing me and silencing my voice… I have never hesitated to convey the truth without falsification or distortion. Do not forget Gaza. And do not forget me in your righteous prayers.” He urged people to stand for freedom in Palestine, resist restrictions, and “be bridges toward the liberation of the country.” The journalist also appealed for care towards his family, including his wife, young children, and mother. Minutes before the airstrike, Al-Sharif had posted on X (formerly Twitter), “Relentless bombardment. For two hours, the Israeli aggression has intensified in Gaza City.” Moments later, the tent was destroyed.
هذه وصيّتي، ورسالتي الأخيرة.
إن وصلَتكم كلماتي هذه، فاعلموا أن إسرائيل قد نجحت في قتلي وإسكات صوتي.
بداية السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاتهيعلم الله أنني بذلت كل ما أملك من جهدٍ وقوة، لأكون سندًا وصوتًا لأبناء شعبي، مذ فتحت عيني على الحياة في أزقّة وحارات مخيّم جباليا للاجئين،…
— أنس الشريف Anas Al-Sharif (@AnasAlSharif0) August 10, 2025
Israeli Military Allegations
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) subsequently released a statement saying Al-Sharif was “the head of a Hamas terrorist cell” who was involved in plotting rocket attacks on Israeli civilians and soldiers “under the guise of being a journalist.” The IDF stated that it had “intelligence, rosters, and salary records” establishing his purported involvement in Hamas. Hamas terrorist Anas Al-Sharif disguised himself as an Al Jazeera journalist… A press badge is not a bulletproof vest for terror,” the release said.
Al Jazeera Media Network strongly dismissed the Israeli accusations, labeling them a “campaign of incitement” to justify the assassination of its journalists. “This is an attempt to legitmise targeting our staff which is dangerous,” the network stated. The CPJ stated that Israel had provided “no credible evidence” to support the claims, warning that labeling reporters as militants undermines press freedom. UN Special Rapporteur Irene Khan also described Israel’s accusations as unfounded and called for international protection for journalists in Gaza.
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At least 237 journalists are reported to have been killed in Gaza since the October 7, 2023, start of the war by CPJ records, with 186 confirmed deaths and 90 arrested by Israeli forces. The Gaza media office run by Hamas blames Israel for intentionally targeting journalists to limit reporting on the conflict. The assassination came hours after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed foreign media in Jerusalem that he had ordered the military to open Gaza up to more international journalists “for responsible and safe access.” Humanitarian organizations have issued warnings of an intensifying hunger crisis following 22 months of war. Hamas has described Al-Sharif’s killing as “the beginning of a big crime” Israel is plotting in Gaza City.