Jerusalem [Israel], August 12: The death of the prominent Al Jazeera journalist Anas al-Sharif, killed along with four colleagues in an Israeli airstrike on Sunday, prompted condemnation from around the world, as hundreds of mourners carried their bodies through the streets of Gaza City.
On Monday, large crowds joined the funeral procession, carrying the journalists' bodies from al-Shifa Hospital to Sheikh Radwan Cemetery in central Gaza. Colleagues, friends, and relatives embraced in grief, while a man lifted a "press" flak jacket high above the crowd.
The strike late on Sunday killed seven people, including correspondent Mohammed Qreiqeh, along with camera operators Ibrahim Zaher, Moamen Aliwa, and Mohammed Noufal. Freelance reporter Mohammed al-Khaldi was also among the dead. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said three more journalists were wounded.
Footage verified by Al Jazeera showed mourners chanting against the killings, with some pledging, "With our soul and blood, we sacrifice for you, Anas," in reference to the slain journalist.
Al Jazeera Media Network condemned the "targeted assassination" by Israeli forces, accusing the military of deliberately striking the journalists' position. "The Israeli military admitted to their crimes," the network said, describing the attack as "another blatant and premeditated assault on press freedom".
Al-Sharif was "one of Gaza's bravest journalists", said Al Jazeera, adding that the attack was "a desperate attempt to silence voices in anticipation of the occupation of Gaza".
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said it was "appalled" by the killings. "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's regional director, Sara Qudah. "Those responsible for these killings must be held accountable."
Media watchdog RSF also condemned what it described as the "acknowledged murder by the Israeli army" of al-Sharif, calling him "one of the most famous journalists from the Gaza Strip (and) the voice of the suffering Israel has imposed on Palestinians in Gaza". The group said the attack mirrored the 2023 killing of Al Jazeera's Ismail al-Ghoul, who was also labelled a "terrorist" by Israel. "Without strong action from the international community. we're likely to witness more such extrajudicial murders of media professionals," RSF warned, urging the United Nations Security Council to intervene.
Source: Fijian Broadcasting Corporation