"Acknowledged murder:" Reporters Without Borders condemns targeted killing of Al Jazeera journalists

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has issued a strong condemnation following the assassination of Al Jazeera's reporter Anas al-Sharif in a targeted Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) strike near al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza. The strike also claimed the lives of five other media professionals and wounded three more.

Among the dead were four Al Jazeera employees: correspondents Anas al-Sharif and Mohammed Qraiqea, video reporter Ibrahim al-Thaher, and assistant cameraman and driver Mohamed Nofal, who was on assignment at the time. Additionally, freelance journalists Mahmoud Aliwa and Mohammed al-Khaldi, a YouTube news channel creator, were killed in the same attack.

RSF emphasized that the international community had failed to act despite repeated warnings, including those from RSF itself, about an imminent attack on Anas al-Sharif, following accusations made by the Israeli Occupation.

The press freedom organization denounced what it called 'Israel’s' media blackout strategy, describing it as an effort “designed to cover up the crimes committed by its army for more than 21 months in the besieged and starved Palestinian enclave.”

RSF called for an immediate end to these tactics, stressing the urgent need to protect journalists working in conflict zones.

Additionally, while speaking to Agence France-Presse (AFP), RSF expressed its strong and angry denunciation of the IOF's accusations, labeling Sharif a "terrorist" linked to Hamas.

The IOF confirmed it deliberately targeted Sharif, accusing him of posing as a journalist while leading a "terrorist cell" responsible for orchestrating rocket attacks against 'Israeli' civilians and soldiers.

RSF strongly rejected these claims, describing them as "baseless." The press freedom organization emphasized that such accusations have been used repeatedly to justify deadly strikes on journalists covering the war on Gaza.

Since the war erupted following on October 7, 2023, nearly 200 journalists have lost their lives, according to RSF. Media organizations have filed four complaints with the International Criminal Court (ICC) accusing 'Israel' of committing "war crimes against journalists in Gaza."

RSF pointed out that the recent strike follows a disturbing pattern. "In (Sunday’s) deliberate attack, the Israeli army reproduced a known method already tested, notably against Al Jazeera journalists," the group stated, referencing the killing of two reporters, including Ismail al-Ghoul, who was also labelled a "terrorist" by 'Israel' in July 2023.

The organization called on the international community to intervene urgently, urging the United Nations Security Council to convene and demand protection for journalists working in conflict zones.

"Without strong action from the international community to stop the Israeli army... we're likely to witness more such extrajudicial murders of media professionals," RSF warned, underscoring the critical need to safeguard press freedom amid ongoing violence.