On Sunday night, an Israeli airstrike killed Al Jazeera journalist Anas al-Sharif and four others of his colleagues on their way out of al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City. International bodies, such as the UN and Reporters Without Borders, have strongly criticized the attack, which also killed Mohammed Qreiqeh, Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal and Moamen Aliwa.
Israel defense forces reported that Sharif was a Hamas operative which was not true according to Al Jazeera. According to witnesses, there was a sudden explosion that engulfed the tent of the journalists in flames killing them on the spot. Attended by hundreds at the funeral in the Sheikh Radwan cemetery, the colleagues recalled the courage and commitment Sharif showed to report even when there were threats against him in Gaza.
Gaza media office reports that, since the war started, more than 230 journalists were killed. The attack has been described as a deadly escalation against conflict zone reporters by the advocates of press freedom.
