Who is Anas al-Sharif? Al Jazeera reporter killed by Israeli strike

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(NewsNation) — Israeli strikes killed journalist Anas al-Sharif and four of his Al Jazeera colleagues Sunday, the Israeli military, Gaza City hospital officials and the outlet confirmed.

The attack outside Shifa Hospital, Gaza City’s largest hospital complex, killed two reporters — al-Sharif and Mohammed Qraiqeh — and three photographers — Ibrahim Zaher, Moamen Aliwa and Mohammed Noufal — as well as two other people, hospital administrative director Rami Mohanna told the Associated Press.

Israel said it targeted al-Sharif, who Israel accused of being a “terrorist” posing as a journalist for the Al Jazeera network, something he and his workplace have denied.

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Who is Anas al-Sharif, Al Jazeera reporter killed in Gaza?

Al-Sharif, 28, reported extensively from northern Gaza for much of the war, according to Al Jazeera, a news channel based in Qatar.

According to the network, al-Sharif was born in Gaza City’s Jabalia refugee camp and graduated from Al-Aqsa University.

He is survived by his wife, son, daughter and mother, according to a lengthy post on al-Sharif’s social media. His father died in an Israeli strike in December 2023, according to Al Jazeera.

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Posted Sunday but dated as being written on April 6, al-Sharif’s last post on the social platform X delivered the message he “requested to be published upon his martyrdom.”

“This is my will and my final message. If these words reach you, know that Israel has succeeded in killing me and silencing my voice … Do not forget Gaza… And do not forget me in your sincere prayers for forgiveness and acceptance,” the post reads in part.

Israel claims Al Jazeera’s Anas al-Sharif headed Hamas militant cell

While reputable outlets — including Reuters and the Associated Press — refer to al-Sharif as a correspondent and reporter, Israel has accused him of being a Hamas militant.

Sharif worked for a Hamas media team in Gaza before the Oct. 7, 2023, attack in Israel, the BBC reported — but any involvement as the “head of a Hamas terrorist cell” has not been confirmed.

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These claims first surfaced in October 2024, when Israel’s military accused al-Sharif — and five other Al Jazeera staffers — of being current or former paid fighters for Palestinian militant groups.

Citing intelligence and documents it reportedly gathered in Gaza, Israel accused four of the journalists of affiliating with Hamas and two with Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Evidence included alleged screenshots of spreadsheets listing Hamas operatives and a phone directory.

Al Jazeera: Strike on Anas al-Sharif, other journalists was ‘assassination’

Al Jazeera, the Committee to Protect Journalists and the United Nations’ human rights office have pushed back on accusations against al-Sharif and labeled Israel’s attack as retribution against those documenting the war in Gaza.

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Al Jazeera condemned the attack and called the strike “targeted assassination,” accusing Israeli officials of incitement.

“Anas and his colleagues were among the last remaining voices from within Gaza, providing the world with unfiltered, on-the-ground coverage of the devastating realities endured by its people,” the network said in a statement.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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