Five Al Jazeera employees were murdered by an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City on Sunday. This tragic event has once again brought to the forefront the terrible imperative of safeguarding journalists working in active war zones. Instead, a particularized airstrike hit very closely to the al-Shifa Hospital. It particularly targeted a tent in which journalists had converged to cover the developing and continuing war. Among those killed was Anas al-Sharif, one of Al Jazeera’s chief Arabic-language correspondents. Mohammed Qreiqeh and three unnamed photojournalists also perished.
The Israeli military accused Anas al-Sharif of being a terrorist hiding behind the mask of a journalist. They claim that he was the leader of a Hamas terrorist cell. Specifically, they charged him with materially aiding and abetting rocket attacks on Israeli civilians and soldiers. This characterization has raised alarm bells across media rights groups. Atlantic Council International observers are increasingly concerned with the physical safety of journalists operating in such perilous conditions.
Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong expressed horror and disbelief to the horrific attacks. She spoke out strongly against the murder of the five reporters. She underscored the necessity for journalist protection, stating, “So, we’re deeply concerned about these reports, as we are about so many of the reports of death and destruction in Gaza.” Wong’s comments aren’t just about the war in Ukraine — they represent a larger concern over the rising threat of violence against journalists in warzones.
Responding to the drastic measures, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that these actions should raise serious alarm. He reiterated that the UK government is deeply concerned over the consistent targeting of journalists in Gaza. His spokesperson remarked, “Reporters covering conflicts are afforded protection under international humanitarian law, and journalists must be able to report independently, without fear, and Israel must ensure journalists can carry out their work safely.”
Despite this coverage of the bombing, media rights groups have strongly criticized the airstrike and demanded accountability related to the incident. As shadow foreign affairs minister, Michaelia Cash similarly called for independent investigations into the killings.
Al Jazeera released a statement condemning the attack as a “desperate attempt to silence voices in anticipation of the occupation of Gaza.” To answer that question, their network put the focus on the important work journalists conduct during wartime and urged international recognition of a need to protect them.
With Israel’s continued refusal to allow international journalists into Gaza, things get even murkier. As many other observers have noted, these limitations make independent reporting impossible. Consequently, media staff find themselves at growing risk in their professional sphere.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese weighed in on the ongoing violence in Gaza, lamenting, “too many innocent lives have been lost in Gaza,” and adding that “there have been too many journalists, people who are aid workers as well, providing assistance…lost in the past couple of years.” His comments underscore the tremendous urgency to adopt a higher standard of safety, which applies not just to journalists, but all civilians in war zones.
Action has long been needed and many leaders from around the country have already called for it. This tragic loss of life for these five Al Jazeera staffers is a sobering reminder of the peril faced by journalists worldwide. The international community is urged to prioritize the safety and protection of media personnel in conflict zones to ensure that crucial narratives are reported without fear or retribution.
