An Israeli airstrike in Gaza has claimed the lives of five Al Jazeera journalists, cutting short the work of reporters known for their resilience and dedication in one of the world’s most dangerous reporting environments. The journalists—Anas Jamal Mahmoud Al-Sharif, Mohammed Qreiqeh, Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal, and Moamen Aliwa—were killed on August 10, 2025, when missiles struck a tent near Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City where members of the press had gathered. The attack also killed two other people, including a nephew of Al-Sharif.
Anas Al-Sharif, 28, was one of Al Jazeera’s most recognized correspondents in northern Gaza. Born and raised in the Jabalia refugee camp, he studied mass communication before starting his career in journalism. His work became internationally known for its unfiltered portrayal of life under siege, often broadcasting amid active bombardments. In 2024, he was part of a Reuters team that received the Pulitzer Prize for their coverage of the war, an acknowledgment of the risks and sacrifices endured to document events as they unfolded. In his final reports, posted just minutes before his death, Al-Sharif described the intensity of the shelling in Gaza City.
Mohammed Qreiqeh had built a reputation as a determined field journalist, frequently covering the most volatile frontlines despite the dangers. Known for his calm under pressure, he provided in-depth accounts of military operations and their impact on civilians. Colleagues remember him as someone who approached every assignment with a sense of mission, believing that accurate reporting was a lifeline for those trapped in the conflict.
Ibrahim Zaher was recognized for his technical skill and adaptability, often working both as a camera operator and field producer. His ability to capture and transmit footage under extreme conditions helped bring Gaza’s realities to audiences worldwide. Zaher was known among his peers for his resourcefulness—finding ways to keep filming even when equipment and power sources were scarce.
Mohammed Noufal specialized in documenting the humanitarian toll of the conflict, focusing on families displaced by fighting, shortages of essential supplies, and the daily struggle for survival. His reporting often highlighted voices that might otherwise go unheard, giving international audiences a deeper understanding of the personal cost of war.
Moamen Aliwa, the youngest of the group, was regarded as a rising talent in field reporting. Colleagues saw in him the same commitment and courage that defined the network’s most seasoned journalists. His work combined a sense of urgency with a deep respect for the people whose stories he was telling. The strike that killed them drew immediate condemnation from press freedom organizations, humanitarian groups, and multiple governments.
Critics called it a grave violation of protections afforded to journalists under international law. Al Jazeera strongly rejected claims from the Israeli military that some of those killed were linked to militant groups, calling the allegations unfounded and an attempt to justify an attack on the press.
For Gaza’s journalism community, the loss was devastating. The war that began in October 2023 has already become the deadliest conflict for reporters in modern history, with hundreds of journalists killed—most of them Palestinian. The deaths of these five men not only silenced prominent voices but also underscored the shrinking space for independent reporting in the territory. Funeral processions in Gaza drew large crowds, with mourners carrying the journalists’ bodies wrapped in press-marked shrouds. Colleagues and family members spoke of their professionalism, humanity, and unwavering dedication to documenting events despite the personal risk. Many noted that their work provided an essential record for the world and served as a testament to the resilience of those living through the conflict.
Their deaths leave a profound void in Al Jazeera’s Gaza bureau and in the wider field of frontline journalism. Each had risked their life countless times to deliver news from one of the most dangerous places on earth. In the end, they paid the ultimate price for their commitment to telling the truth. For those who knew them and for audiences who depended on their reporting, their legacy will endure in the stories they told and the courage they embodied.
