DUBLIN,Ireland Aug 11-The United Nations Human Rights Office has condemned a targeted Israeli airstrike in Gaza that killed six journalists, describing it as a ‘grave breach’ of international law and calling for immediate, unhindered access for reporters in the enclave.
Five of the victims were from Al Jazeera, including correspondent Anas al-Sharif, who was among those killed when a missile hit their tent in Gaza City on Sunday. Cameramen Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal, and Moamen Aliwa, as well as fellow correspondent Mohammed Qreiqeh, also died in the attack. Freelance journalist Mohammad al-Khaldi was named as the sixth fatality. Another person was also killed.
Israel’s military said Sharif was the ‘head of a terrorist cell in Hamas’ but provided limited evidence. It is understood that Sharif previously worked for a Hamas media team before the current conflict, although in social media posts.
The Israeli military claims to have obtained documents in Gaza linking Sharif to Hamas, including personnel lists and phone directories, but has only released screenshots of spreadsheets it says name Hamas operatives.
Media rights organisations, including Reporters Without Borders and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), have condemned the strike.
The CPJ accused Israel of a “longstanding” pattern of labelling journalists as militants without proof. The Foreign Press Association described the killings as “outrageous”.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s spokesman said London was “gravely concerned” and urged an independent investigation. “Israel should ensure journalists can work safely and report without fear,” he said.
The funerals for the Al Jazeera team were held on Monday in Gaza City.
The UN human rights office reiterated its call for Israel to protect journalists, noting that at least 186 reporters have been killed since the start of the Israeli offensive in October 2023 the deadliest period for media workers since CPJ began records in 1992.
The airstrike comes amid worsening humanitarian conditions in Gaza. The Hamas-run health ministry reported five more deaths from malnutrition in the past 24 hours, including one child, bringing the total to 222 among them 101 children. The UN says food aid entering the territory remains far below the level needed to prevent famine.
Israel denies there is starvation in Gaza and has accused UN agencies of failing to distribute aid, while UN officials say Israeli restrictions continue to delay deliveries.
Israel launched its military campaign after the Hamas-led assault on 7 October 2023, which killed about 1,200 people in southern Israel and saw 251 others taken hostage. Since then, Gaza’s health ministry says 61,430 people have been killed in the enclave.
