Israel kills five Al Jazeera journalists during 'targeted assassination' attack in Gaza

 Five Al Jazeera journalists have been killed in an Israeli attack near Al-Shifa Medical Complex in Gaza City, the broadcaster said.

Reporter Anas Al Sharif was killed alongside fellow correspondent Mohammed Qraiqea and photographers Ibrahim Al Thaher and Mohamed Nofal in the strike on Sunday evening, according to Al Jazeera.

Israel's military said it killed Sharif and accused him of heading a Hamas cell.

Al Jazeera condemned the "targeted assassination" of its employees, which it described as a "blatant and premeditated attack on press freedom".

In a statement on X, it added: "The order to assassinate Anas Al Sharif, one of Gaza's bravest journalists, and his colleagues, is a desperate attempt to silence the voices exposing the impending seizure and occupation of Gaza.

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Al-Jazeera correspondent Anas al-Sharif was among five journalists killed in an Israeli strike in Gaza, according to the broadcaster

"As Al Jazeera Media Network bids farewell to yet another group of its finest journalists, who boldly and courageously documented the plight of Gaza and its people since the onset of the war, it holds the Israeli occupation forces and government responsible for deliberately targeting and assassinating its journalists."

Israel's military said in a statement: "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."

In a post to X on Sunday evening, Sharif warned of "relentless bombardment" on Gaza city.

"For two hours, the Israeli aggression has intensified on Gaza City," he wrote.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) stated that it was "appalled" to learn of the journalists' deaths.

Regional Director Sara Qudah said: “Israel’s pattern of labelling journalists as militants without providing credible evidence raises serious questions about its intent and respect for press freedom.

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Al Jazeera also claims correspondent Mohammed Qreiqeh was killed in the Israel strike

"Journalists are civilians and must never be targeted. Those responsible for these killings must be held accountable.”

The CPJ claims 186 journalists have been killed since the start of the Israel-Gaza war in October, 2023.