Amnesty International Australia mourns the deaths of Al-Jazeera journalists killed by Israel in a targeted strike on their tent near al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, including Anas Al-Sharif. Others, Anas Mohammed Qreiqeh, and camera operators Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal, and Moamen Aliwa, were deliberately assassinated by Israeli forces, who have publicly claimed responsibility.
The deliberate targeting and killing of journalists by Israeli forces constitutes war crimes under international humanitarian law.
In 2024, Anas Al-Sharif was awarded the Amnesty International Australia’s Human Rights Defender Award to honour his extraordinary resilience, bravery, and commitment to press freedom while working in the most dangerous conditions. Upon receiving the award, Al-Sharif dedicated the award to every Palestinian journalist covering the events and crimes of the Israeli occupation during the ongoing war and siege of the Gaza Strip.
“Anas dedicated his life to standing before the camera, exposing Israel’s atrocities against Palestinians, and documenting the truth so the world could bear witness.”
Mohamed Duar, Amnesty International Australia’s Occupied Palestinian Territory Spokesperson
Mohamed Duar, Amnesty International Australia’s Occupied Palestinian Territory Spokesperson says:
“We at Amnesty International are devastated and heartbroken. Words cannot capture our grief at the cruelty of deliberately targeting journalists. Anas dedicated his life to standing before the camera, exposing Israel’s atrocities against Palestinians, and documenting the truth so the world could bear witness.
“Despite Israeli Forces killing his father, bombing his house and continual threats to his life, Anas was unwavering in his commitment and duty to his people.
“Israel isn’t just assassinating journalists but attacking journalism itself by preventing the documentation of genocide.
“The courageous and brave journalists who have been reporting since the genocide began have been operating in the most dangerous conditions on Earth. At great risk to their lives, the have remained to show the world the war crimes being committed by Israel against almost two million Palestinian women, men and children.
“No journalist should ever be targeted or killed simply for carrying out their work. Israel must not be allowed to deliberately attack and kill journalists with impunity. Justice must be served for these brave journalists and their family members.”
Mohamed Duar
“No journalist should ever be targeted or killed simply for carrying out their work. Israel must not be allowed to deliberately attack and kill journalists with impunity. Justice must be served for these brave journalists and their family members.
“Today, I mourn and grieve for my friend, Anas, who was like my brother; a beloved son, father, and one of many journalists who paid the ultimate price with their lives. I honour his final words, ‘Do not forget Gaza. And do not forget me in your sincere prayers.’
“We must end the Gaza genocide, demand an immediate and permanent ceasefire, humanitarian aid access by UN agencies at scale, enforce the International Criminal Court arrest warrants, for Australian to impose a two-way arms embargo and protect journalists reporting in Gaza. Humanity depends on it.”
Background
Claims made by Israel forces about Al-Sharif are entirely unsubstantiated and without evidence. It follows a pattern of similar claims and threats.
Israeli forces have repeatedly branded journalists, aid workers, and healthcare workers in Gaza as “terrorists”, a pattern that has enabled the deliberate targeting and killing of these individuals with complete impunity.
In October 2024, Israel falsely accused six journalists of being terrorists an accusation that served as their death warrant. The Committee to Protect Journalists found that the Israeli military killed Al Jazeera Arabic journalist Ismail al-Ghoul in July 2024 after producing a document that falsely claimed that Al-Ghoul received a Hamas military ranking in 2007. Shortly afterwards, Israeli forces killed 23-year-old Hossam al Shabat alongside Mohammed Mansour in their clearly marked Press vehicle and vests.
Like all Palestinians in Gaza, journalists endure relentless bombardment, displacement, and the use of starvation as a weapon of war. The deliberate targeting and killing of journalists by Israeli forces constitutes war crimes under international humanitarian law. Yet, despite clear violations, no one has been held accountable, and attacks on journalists continue with complete impunity.
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