Press Freedom in Gaza Under Scrutiny Following Journalist Deaths

On August 10th at 11:35 GMT, an Israeli drone struck a tent beside al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, killing five Al Jazeera journalists and one freelance reporter. The casualties include Anas al-Sharif (a correspondent), Mohammed Qreiqeh (a correspondent), Ibrahim Zaher (a cameraman), Mohammed Noufal (a cameraman), Moamen Aliwa (an assistant camera operator) and Mohammad Al-Khaldi (a freelance reporter).

The Israeli Defense Force has confirmed the strike, posting a statement on X shortly afterwards asserting that Anas al-Sharif had been a longstanding member of Hamas’ military and an operative of terrorist attacks against Israel, an accusation that has been repeatedly denied by Al Jazeera.

Credit: Israel Defense Force, X/Twitter

This has been a continuous claim by the Israeli military prior to the strike, having made similar statements on multiple online platforms such as in a video from Avichay Adraee, an Israel Defense Forces spokesperson. 

Since the beginning of the conflict in October 2023, Israel has heavily restricted international media’s access and entrance to Gaza with the primary explanation being security reasons. Additionally, according to outlet France 24, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric identifies at least 242 journalists killed in Gaza since the conflict began, as of the 12th of August. 

“Deliberately targeting journalists is a war crime under international law. This massacre must end.”

Sara Qudah, the Regional Director of the Committee to Protect Journalists, expressed her disapproval of the treatment of journalists during this conflict. “Israel’s pattern of labelling journalists as militants without providing credible evidence raises serious questions about its intent and respect for press freedom,” she claims. “Deliberately targeting journalists is a war crime under international law. This massacre must end.”

To put these figures into perspective, an analysis by Brown University’s Costs of War project from April identifies that the ongoing Gaza war has seen more journalist deaths than those collectively from the Korean War, US Civil War, World Wars I and II, the Vietnam War, the Yugoslavian conflicts and the post 9/11 war in Afghanistan.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced plans to allow foreign reporters in Gaza, but details such as access, security arrangements, and operational independence have not been provided as of yet. In representation of the UN, Dujarric says “Journalists and media workers must be respected, they must be protected and they must be allowed to carry out their work freely, free from fear and free from harassment.”

• France 24. (2025, August 11). UN says 242 journalists killed in Gaza as Al Jazeera mourns those killed in Israeli strike. France 24. https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20250811-live-reporters-without-borders-slams-al-jazeera-journalist-s-murder-by-israeli-army
• The Straits Times. (2025, August 11). Netanyahu announces plan to allow foreign reporters into Gaza. The Straits Times. https://www.straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/netanyahu-announces-plan-to-allow-foreign-reporters-into-gaza
• Gooch, B. (2025, August 12). ‘A desperate attempt to silence voices’: Israel accused over the ever-growing death toll of journalists in Gaza. The Independent. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/journalists-killed-gaza-israel-list-names-b2805326.html
• Israel Defense Forces [@IDF]. (2025, August 11). STRUCK: Hamas terrorist Anas Al-Sharif, who posed as an Al Jazeera journalist. Al-Sharif was the head of a Hamas terrorist cell. [Post]. X. https://x.com/IDF/status/1954652255199887516 
• France-Presse, A. (2025, August 11). Israeli strike on Al Jazeera tent kills 5 journalists in Gaza. South China Morning Post. https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/news/global/article/3321427/israeli-strike-al-jazeera-tent-kills-5-journalists-gaza
• Committee to Protect Journalists. (2025, August 10). Israel kills Al Jazeera journalists in targeted Gaza City airstrike. Committee to Protect Journalists. https://cpj.org/2025/08/israel-kills-al-jazeera-journalists-in-targeted-gaza-city-airstrike/
• Adraee, A. (2025, July 24). #أنس_الشريف‬⁩ أطلق حملة إعلامية شخصية قد تهدف لرفع مكانته التنظيمية في القسام لكنها لن تنجح في اخفاء حقيقة موثوقة بالوثائق. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/reel/783744694223312 
• Al Jazeera. (2025, August 12). Israel kills Anas al-Sharif, three Al Jazeera staff in Gaza: What we know. Al Jazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2025/8/11/israel-kills-anasal-sharif-and-four-al-jazeera-in-gaza-what-to-know
• Al Jazeera. (2025, August 11). Here are the names of the journalists Israel killed in Gaza. Al Jazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/11/here-are-the-names-of-the-journalists-israel-killed-in-gaza
• Thomas J. Watson Jr. School of International and Public Affairs. (2025, April 1). News Graveyards: How Dangers to War Reporters Endanger the World. Brown University. https://watson.brown.edu/costsofwar/papers/2025/Journalists