In the complex and often devastating narrative of conflict in Gaza, the figures who emerge to bear witness often do so at immense personal risk. Among them, Anas al-Sharif, a 28-year-old Al Jazeera correspondent, became for millions across the globe a singular embodiment of courage and perseverance. His dedication to reporting the daily realities of life and conflict in northern Gaza positioned him as an indispensable conduit of information, a commitment that ultimately led to his tragic death in an Israeli strike on Sunday, alongside four of his colleagues.
Born in the densely populated Jabalia area, Anas al-Sharif had worked for Al Jazeera for approximately two years, diligently covering the unfolding humanitarian and military situation. His reporting was characterized by an unyielding focus on the plight of civilians, frequently capturing the profound suffering experienced by the people of Gaza. He remained steadfast in his mission, even refusing to follow Israeli evacuation orders, choosing instead to continue his vital work from the north of the territory, which had become one of the most besieged areas.
His personal life, though often overshadowed by his professional dedication, was marked by significant sacrifice. Anas was married with two young children: a four-year-old daughter named Sham and a one-year-old son named Salah. The exigencies of the war meant he was separated from them for protracted periods. A poignant Instagram post from January, shared jointly with his wife, captured a smiling Sharif with his children, noting it was the first time he had met his son, Salah, after fifteen months of war, a stark illustration of the profound personal costs of his reporting.
Throughout the extensive duration of the conflict, Anas al-Sharif appeared frequently in live broadcasts, providing extensive coverage of the situation. His reports often detailed the tragic targeting of his colleagues, including prominent Al Jazeera correspondent Ismail al-Ghoul and cameraman Rami al-Rifi, both of whom were killed in an air strike in 2024 in Gaza City. This close proximity to the dangers faced by journalists underscored his personal vulnerability, yet it did not deter him from his mission.
The profound impact of the conflict on his own family further underscored the personal resonance of his reporting. His father was killed in December 2023 when the family home was targeted in an Israeli strike, a loss that Raed Fakih, input manager at Al Jazeera’s Arabic-language channel, noted made him “like all Gazans: carrying loss, pain, and resilience.” This deep personal connection to the suffering he documented amplified the authenticity and emotional weight of his broadcasts.
Mohamed Moawad, Al Jazeera’s managing editor, described Anas al-Sharif as the “only voice left in Gaza City,” a testament to his unparalleled commitment to reporting from an area that Israel now plans to militarily occupy. Salah Negm, director of news at Al Jazeera English, reiterated his pervasive presence, stating that Sharif “worked for the whole length of the war inside Gaza reporting daily on the situation of people and the attacks which are committed in Gaza.” This relentless pursuit of truth made him a crucial eyewitness.
His journalistic integrity and bravery were consistently lauded by his colleagues. Raed Fakih characterized Sharif as “courageous, dedicated, and honest,” attributes that contributed to his significant success, garnering hundreds of thousands of social media followers from around the world. Fakih emphasized that “His dedication took him to areas where no other reporter ventured to go, especially those that witnessed the worst massacres.”
This unwavering commitment to his profession meant that “His integrity kept him true to his message as a journalist,” as Fakih recounted. In their last conversations, Sharif shared the harrowing reality of his own struggle, telling Fakih “about the famine and starvation he was enduring, about how hard it is to survive with so little food.” He conveyed a powerful sense of duty, stating he “felt he had no choice but to amplify the voice of the Gazans. He was living the same hardships they are living now, suffering from famine, mourning loved ones.”
The final hours of Anas al-Sharif’s life saw him continue his critical work. Hours before he was killed, he posted about an intense Israeli bombardment of Gaza City. His last video captured the ominous backdrop of “loud booms of Israel’s intensive missile bombing” with the “dark sky … lit in a flash of orange light,” a chilling precursor to the very violence that would claim his life.
On Sunday, Anas al-Sharif and four other Al Jazeera journalists—Mohammed Qreiqeh, Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal, and Moamen Aliwa—were killed in an Israeli strike. The attack targeted a tent used by journalists, located outside the main gate of Gaza City’s al-Shifa Hospital. Hospital officials also confirmed the death of Mohammed al-Khaldi, a local freelance journalist, in the same incident. Mohammed Qreieh, 33, a father of two from Gaza City, was, like Sharif, separated from his family for months while reporting from northern Gaza. His last live broadcast occurred minutes before he was targeted.
The immediate aftermath of the strike saw swift and strong condemnation from various international bodies and media freedom organizations. The UN, Qatar (where Al Jazeera is based), and numerous media freedom groups voiced their outrage over the targeted attack on a facility clearly identified with journalists. This incident became another stark example in a pattern of escalating dangers for reporters in the conflict zone.
In the wake of the strike, the Israeli military claimed responsibility, alleging that Anas al-Sharif was “the head of a Hamas terrorist cell” and responsible for launching rocket attacks at Israelis. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated it possessed documents that “unequivocally prove” his “military affiliation” with Hamas, including “personnel rosters, lists of terrorist training courses, phone directories, and salary documents.” They publicly released screenshots purporting to show Hamas operatives and a phone directory.
However, these allegations were met with strong and consistent denials from multiple authoritative sources. Anas al-Sharif himself had previously denied such claims. Al Jazeera and various media rights groups have vehemently rejected the Israeli allegations, asserting their baselessness. Jodie Ginsberg, CEO of the Committee for the Protection of Journalists (CPJ), firmly stated, “International law is very clear on this point that the only individuals who are legitimate targets during a war are active combatants.”
Ginsberg further clarified the legal and ethical boundaries, explaining, “Having worked as a media advisor for Hamas, or indeed for Hamas currently, does not make you an active combatant.” She emphasized the lack of substantive proof from Israel, adding, “And nothing that the Israeli forces has produced so far in terms of evidence gives us any kind of assurance that he was even an active member of Hamas.” Muhammed Shehada, an analyst at the Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor, echoed this sentiment, stating there was “zero evidence” that al-Sharif participated in any hostilities, pointing out, “His entire daily routine was standing in front of a camera from morning to evening.”
