Israel's fresh wave of airstrikes kills 5 Al Jazeera journos
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Journalist Anas Al Sharif (X photo).
New Delhi: An Israeli strike late on Sunday in Gaza targeting a hospital tent killed five Al Jazeera journalists, along with two others, according to the news agency. The attack was on a site near the main gate of al-Shifa hospital, and the site is known for medical personnel stationed there.
The killed journalists include Anas Al Sharif, whom Israel accused of leading a Hamas cell responsible for orchestrating rocket attacks on Israel. Sharif was killed moments after he posted a video of intense bombardment from Gaza City, according to reports.
Al Jazeera confirmed the deaths of correspondent Mohammed Qreiqeh, camera operators Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal, and Moamen Aliwa, as well as their assistant Mohammed Noufal.
Following the incident, Palestinian journalist groups condemned the killing, saying it was an attack on press freedom.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military issued a statement on the killing of Anas Al Sharif, accusing him of leading a Hamas terrorist cell, which issued an attack on Israeli civilians and troops.
"Anas Al Sharif served as the head of a terrorist cell in the Hamas terrorist organisation and was responsible for advancing rocket attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF troops," the Israeli military claimed in the statement.
Al Sharif had posted a video on X just before the fatal attack on his team in which he described the pounding in Gaza City’s eastern and southern areas. In the video, loud sounds of missile strikes could be heard in the background and the night sky lit up intermittently.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday defended a new military offensive in Gaza that is more sweeping than previously announced, declaring in the face of growing condemnation at home and abroad that Israel “has no choice but to finish the job and complete the defeat of Hamas.” Even as more Israelis express concern over the 22-month war, Netanyahu said the security Cabinet last week instructed the dismantling of Hamas strongholds not only in Gaza City but also in the “central camps” and Muwasi.
