Gaza journalist Anas al-Sharif has been killed in an airstrike on Sunday, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). The 28-year-old reporter, who worked for Al Jazeera, had received threats from Israel after covering the conflict. CPJ warned of acute danger to his life last month and noted that more than 180 Palestinian journalists have been killed in almost two years of war.
The Israeli government has claimed that al-Sharif was a Hamas terrorist, but this claim has not been independently verified. The CPJ says 26 reporters were targeted during the conflict, and many others died from their work in a war zone. The killings are part of a broader pattern of violence against Palestinian journalists and media workers.
Al-Sharif’s death marks the fifth time that a media worker has been killed in an airstrike on Gaza. The journalist had reported on starvation and famine in the area, sparking outrage among Palestinians. His killing came as Israel announced its plan to launch a ground offensive in Gaza City, which would only deepen the humanitarian crisis.
The international community has widely condemned the killings, and many are calling for an investigation into the treatment of media workers. The CPJ reports that over 180 Palestinian journalists have been killed during the conflict, more than the number who died globally in the previous three years.
In a statement, al-Sharif said, “If these words reach you, know that Israel has succeeded in killing me and silencing my voice.” This incident highlights the dangers faced by journalists covering conflicts and underscores the need for international protection and accountability.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/aug/12/the-guardian-view-on-anas-al-sharif-and-gazas-journalists-israel-is-wiping-out-the-witnesses