The United Nations has denounced an Israeli airstrike in Gaza that claimed the lives of six journalists, warning that the attack constitutes a serious violation of international law. The organisation urged urgent measures to safeguard media professionals operating in conflict areas, stressing that journalists must be protected as civilians under international humanitarian norms.
The strike, carried out on Sunday in Gaza City, claimed the lives of five Al Jazeera journalists — among them correspondent Anas al-Sharif — and a sixth media worker, freelance journalist Mohammad al-Khaldi. According to medics at al-Shifa Hospital, another civilian also died in the attack. Funerals for the journalists, including cameramen Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal, and Moamen Aliwa, were held on Monday.
Israel’s military acknowledged it had intentionally targeted Sharif, alleging he led a Hamas “terrorist cell” — an accusation Sharif denied during his lifetime. Officials claimed to possess documents linking him to the armed group, citing rosters, training records, and salary lists. However, only partial screenshots of spreadsheets have been released, and these cannot be independently verified. Africa Today News, New York, has reported that Sharif once worked for a Hamas media unit before the current war, though some of his recent public comments had criticised the group.
The strike has drawn sharp criticism from media rights organisations, governments, and press unions. Reporters Without Borders labelled it an “assassination,” while the Foreign Press Association accused the Israeli military of repeatedly branding Palestinian journalists as militants “without verifiable evidence.” The Committee to Protect Journalists said Israel had “a longstanding, documented pattern” of making such claims without credible proof.
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Qatar, home to Al Jazeera’s headquarters, joined calls for an independent investigation. The UK government expressed “grave concern,” with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s spokesman stressing that journalists must be able to work “without fear” and urging Israel to ensure their safety.
The UN’s human rights office echoed these demands in a post on X, urging Israel to guarantee safe and unrestricted access to Gaza for all journalists. The statement comes amid what press agencies have described as the most lethal period for journalists since global records began in 1992. The CPJ estimates that at least 186 journalists have been killed since Israel launched its offensive in Gaza last October, following the Hamas-led assault on southern Israel that left 1,200 people dead and 251 taken hostage.
Foreign media have been barred from entering Gaza independently, forcing international outlets such as the BBC, Reuters, AFP, and AP to rely on local reporters. In a joint statement last month, these organisations warned that their Gaza-based staff are struggling to secure basic food supplies for themselves and their families.
The humanitarian situation in the enclave continues to deteriorate. The Hamas-run health ministry reported that five more people, including a child, died from malnutrition in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of such deaths to 222 — 101 of them children. UN agencies say the amount of aid reaching Gaza remains far below what is needed, warning last month that famine is no longer a distant threat but an unfolding reality.
Israel rejects accusations that starvation is occurring, instead blaming the UN for failing to collect and distribute aid efficiently from border crossings. The UN maintains that Israeli restrictions and delays are among the primary obstacles.
According to the health ministry in Gaza, Israel’s military campaign has killed more than 61,000 people since October, with no clear end in sight to the fighting or the humanitarian crisis.