🇵🇸 Al Jazeera Mourns Fallen Gaza Journalists as Israeli Strike Targets Media Near Hospital

Shock and grief gripped Gaza City as hundreds paid their final respects to Al Jazeera correspondents killed in a deadly Israeli airstrike near Shifa Hospital.

Zig Diaries World News
Date: Monday, 11 August 2025
Time: 18:00 WAT
Location: 📍 Gaza City, Palestine

Funeral procession draws global attention to rising journalist deaths in Gaza conflict.

The streets of Gaza City fell silent on Monday as hundreds of mourners gathered for the funeral procession of veteran Al Jazeera correspondent Mohamed Qreiqeh, killed alongside colleague Anas al-Sharif and at least six others in an Israeli airstrike. The attack struck just outside the Shifa Hospital complex — the largest medical facility in the territory — where victims had been seeking shelter.

Witnesses and hospital officials said the casualties included four other journalists and two civilians. Shifa Hospital’s administrative director, Rami Mohanna, confirmed the fatalities, adding that the strike also damaged the entrance to the hospital’s emergency department.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) swiftly claimed responsibility, alleging that al-Sharif was the leader of a Hamas cell — a claim both Al Jazeera and the late journalist had previously rejected as baseless. Press freedom advocates condemned the strike as a targeted assault on those documenting the war in Gaza.

“This is a direct attack on press freedom and a chilling message to all journalists,” said a statement by the International Federation of Journalists.

The IDF’s rapid admission marked the first time during the ongoing conflict that it openly acknowledged targeting a journalist. In July last year, Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee accused several Al Jazeera reporters, including al-Sharif, of being affiliated with Hamas’ military wing — allegations that were strongly denied.

The strike has intensified international criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza and renewed calls for independent investigations into attacks on media workers.

Fact-check & Background Context:

·        Mohamed Qreiqeh and Anas al-Sharif were both seasoned Gaza correspondents for Al Jazeera.

·        The strike comes amid escalating hostilities and an unprecedented rise in journalist deaths in the Gaza war.

·        According to CPJ (Committee to Protect Journalists), more media workers have been killed in Gaza in the past year than in any other conflict in decades.

·        Israel has previously accused certain Al Jazeera staff of links to militant groups — accusations the network denies.

🏷️ Tags: Gaza, Al Jazeera, Israel-Palestine conflict, Press Freedom, War in Gaza
#Gaza #AlJazeera #PressFreedom #IsraelPalestine #WarCrimes