POLITICS: Al Jazeera journalists’ deaths spur protests as IDF levels fresh accusations – USSA News

In the wake of a well-known Al Jazeera journalist’s death, along with four of his colleagues, from an Israeli airstrike, fresh accusations, worldwide protests and condemnation have ensued. Israel admits it targeted and killed Anas al-Sharif on Sunday, accusing him of leading a Hamas terrorist cell for more than a decade.

IDF’s latest accusations against al-Sharif

Now, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) alleges he received a salary from the terrorist group, as first reported by The Times of Israel.

“Prior to the strike, we obtained current intelligence indicating that [Anas al-Sharif] was an active Hamas military wing operative at the time of his elimination.” IDF international spokesperson Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani said in a social media post on Monday. “In addition, he received a salary from the Hamas terror group and terrorist supporters.”

The IDF also accused al-Sharif of being “the head of a Hamas terrorist cell” and of advancing “rocket attacks on Israeli civilians and IDF troops.”

“Intelligence and documents from Gaza, including rosters, terrorist training lists and salary records, prove he was a Hamas operative integrated into Al Jazeera,” the IDF said in a statement reportedly alongside supporting documents.

The IDF said in a document dating back to 2023 that as of April 7, 2017, al-Shariff appeared to be working for Hamas, following an eye injury, on a $200 a month salary. In a separate, undated document, The Times of Israel report shows al-Sharif’s name on the internal registry of Hamas’ Nukhba Force and a codename for him as well. 

The IDF said that members of the Nukhba Force led the initial attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, that led to the deaths of 1,200 in Israel and more than 250 hostages.

Shoshani wrote in his post that the documents the IDF published in October are “only a small, declassified portion of our intelligence on al-Sharif leading up to the strike.”

Israel has not mentioned any affiliation of the five other journalists killed. 

Al Jazeera and al-Sharif denied Israel’s accusations

Al Jazeera has denied the Israeli military’s accusations, and so did al-Sharif prior to his death. 

“Anas al-Sharif and his colleagues were among the last remaining voices in Gaza conveying the tragic reality to the world,” Al Jazeera said in a statement.

He was among four Al Jazeera journalists and an assistant who died after an Israeli airstrike struck an encampment near Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, as reported by Al Jazeera. They were among seven people killed in the attack, including local freelance reporter Mohammad al-Khaldi, according to hospital officials. Other Al Jazeera journalists killed besides al-Sharif were Mohammad Qreiqeh, Ibrahim Zaher, Moamen Aliwa and cameraman Mohammad Noufal.

Al Jazeera described al-Sharif as “one of the bravest journalists” and accused Israel of using the attack as a “desperate attempt to silence voices in anticipation of the occupation of Gaza.” The news outlet also said that al-Sharif left a message to be posted on social media in case of his death. It read in part: “I never hesitated to convey the truth as it is, without distortion or misrepresentation, hoping that God would witness those who remained silent.”

Worldwide reactions

Meanwhile, from the occupied West Bank to the streets of Washington, D.C., protesters and mourners are demanding accountability for the deadly airstrike.

Fellow journalists also condemned the killing of al-Sharif, including CNN’s Clarissa Ward.

Ward described the killing as “horrific” and said many Western journalists feel “powerless” and “ashamed.” She added that “the targeting of journalists is a war crime” and said reporters covering the war often have to endure a “stream of accusations from the IDF” used to “dehumanize” Palestinian journalists and “justify” their killings. 

The U.N. human rights office also condemned the killings, accusing Israel of a “grave breach of international and humanitarian law.” The post was made with a picture of destroyed blue tents in Gaza City.

Ongoing concerns

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reports that at least 186 journalists have been killed since Israel’s war against Hamas began in October 2023.

International news organizations have expressed concern with the lack of coverage within Gaza and pushed for broader access and protections for journalists, as reported by Straight Arrow News. 

Israel denies accusations that it deliberately targets journalists and alleges many of those killed in its airstrikes were Islamic militants disguised as journalists.