Four Al Jazeera journalists killed in Israeli strike near Al-Shifa hospital

Four Al Jazeera journalists have been killed in an Israeli strike near Gaza City’s Al-Shifa Hospital, the broadcaster has said.

Correspondents Anas al-Sharif and Mohammed Qreiqeh and cameramen Ibrahim Zaher and Mohammed Noufal were in a tent for journalists at the hospital’s main gate when it was targeted, Al Jazeera reported.

A fortnight ago, it condemned the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) for what it called a “campaign of incitement” against its reporters in Gaza, including al-Sharif.

Shortly after the strike, the IDF confirmed that it had struck Anas al-Sharif, posting on Telegram that he had “served as the head of a terrorist cell in Hamas”.

The IDF did not mention any of the other journalists who were killed. The BBC has contacted Al Jazeera for comment.

Al-Sharif, 28, appeared to be posting on X in the moments before his death, warning of intense Israeli bombardment within Gaza City.

A post which was published after he was reported to have died appears to have been pre-written and published by a friend.

In two graphic videos of the aftermath of the strike, which have been confirmed by BBC Verify, men can be seen carrying the bodies of those who were killed. Some shout out Mohammed Qreiqeh’s name, and a man wearing a press vest says that one of the bodies is that of Anas Al-Sharif.

In July, the Al Jazeera Media Network issued a statement denouncing “relentless efforts” by the IDF for an “ongoing campaign of incitement targeting Al Jazeera’s correspondents and journalists in the Gaza Strip”.

“The Network considers this incitement a dangerous attempt to justify the targeting of its journalists in the field,” it added.

The IDF statement accused al-Sharif of posing as a journalist, and being “responsible for advancing rocket attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF troops”

It said it had previously “disclosed intelligence” confirming his military affiliation, which included “lists of terrorist training courses”.

“Prior to the strike, steps were taken to mitigate harm to civilians, including the use of precise munition, aerial surveillance, and additional intelligence,” the statement added.

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, 186 journalists have been confirmed killed since the start of Israel’s military offensive in Gaza in October 2023.

Additional reporting by Shayan Sardarizadeh, BBC Verify