Reporter or Hamas Terrorist? Israeli Strike Kills Al Jazeera Staff Member

An Israeli strike in Gaza killed multiple Al Jazeera staff Sunday, including Anas al-Sharif, who Israel describes as a “Hamas terrorist.”  

Al-Sharif “posed as an Al Jazeera journalist” and “was the head of a Hamas terrorist cell and advanced rocket attacks on Israeli civilians and … troops,” the Israel Defense Forces wrote on X Sunday night.  

Israeli officials have repeatedly claimed that Al Jazeera, a news outlet that is partially funded by the Qatari government, is a mouthpiece for Hamas.  

Documents, “including rosters, terrorist training lists, and salary records, prove” Al-Sharif was a “Hamas operative integrated into Al Jazeera,” the IDF wrote on X above an image of what the IDF claims to be a list of Hamas operatives. Al-Sharif’s name is highlighted in the document and his rank is listed as a “soldier.”  

The IDF also published images of an alleged Hamas “operatives” injury tracking document and a phone directory that also include Al-Sharif’s name.  

“A press badge isn’t a shield for terrorism,” the IDF says.  

Photos of Al-Sharif posing with Hamas leaders flooded social media following the strike that killed Al-Sharif.  

“Terrorist journalist Anas Sharif in the arms of senior terrorist Yahya Sinwar,” the Israel Persian X account stated above an image of what appears to be Al-Sharif and former Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. Israel claimed responsibility for killing Sinwar in October.  

Another post by the same account appears to show Al-Sharif taking a selfie with Sinwar and other men the Israel Persian account claims to be “Hamas terrorists.”  

Al Jazeera did not immediately respond to The Daily Signal’s request for comment.  

Al Jazeera labeled Al-Sharif, 28, a “prominent correspondent.”  

“Known for his fearless reporting from northern Gaza, he had become one of the most recognizable voices documenting the ongoing Israeli genocide in the enclave,” Al Jazeera wrote in a report Monday.  

“Al Jazeera Media Network has condemned what it called a ‘targeted assassination’ of its journalists,” according to the outlet.  

In addition to Al-Sharif, Al Jazeera reports the Israeli strike also killed Al Jazeera correspondent Mohammed Qreiqeh, cameramen Ibrahim Zaher and Moamen Aliwa, and assistant Mohammed Noufal.