Anas Al-Sharif, a 28-year-old Palestinian journalist, became one of the most recognized reporters covering the war in Gaza after joining Al Jazeera in December 2023. Initially a cameraman, he was persuaded to present reports after his social media coverage of Israeli strikes in Jabalya went viral.
Known for his on-the-ground reporting, he chronicled key events such as brief ceasefires, hostage releases, and the humanitarian crisis. His emotional decision to remove his protective gear live on air in January, while crowds celebrated, became a symbolic moment of hope amid the conflict.
Al-Sharif’s work made him a target for the Israeli military, which had previously killed several Al Jazeera journalists in Gaza. He reported sleeping in dozens of locations, hospitals, shelters, and even ambulances while covering the war.
He recounted receiving direct threats from Israeli intelligence, warning him to stop reporting for Al Jazeera. Shortly after one such warning, the location he was broadcasting from was struck. Despite the dangers, he continued his work, stating that journalism was his mission, free of political affiliation.
Al-Sharif’s Legacy A Voice for Gaza Silenced but Never Forgotten
In August 2025, Al-Sharif and four Al Jazeera colleagues were killed in an Israeli strike on a tent marked “Press” outside Al-Shifa Hospital. The IDF claimed Al-Sharif was a Hamas operative, accusing him of leading a cell responsible for rocket attacks and alleging ties dating back to 2013.
Israel released photos purportedly showing him with Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, killed in 2024. Al-Sharif denied these claims, insisting his role was solely to report the truth. The IDF did not clarify why he was targeted at this time.
Rights groups, including the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), condemned his killing, calling it part of a “documented pattern” of accusing journalists of terrorism without credible evidence. CPJ reported that 192 journalists had been killed during the nearly two-year war, with 184 being Palestinians killed by Israel.
This occurred in a context where Israel has barred international journalists from independently entering Gaza, instead enforcing a tightly controlled embed policy.
Al-Sharif’s Legacy A Voice for Gaza Silenced but Never Forgotten
Hours before Al-Sharif’s death, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that foreign journalists could enter Gaza but only with military oversight. Al-Sharif’s funeral drew large crowds of mourners in Gaza, reflecting his stature as a voice for the besieged population. Known for his relentless coverage despite personal loss, including the killing of his father in an airstrike, he symbolized the resilience of Palestinian journalists under siege.
Anticipating his own death, Al-Sharif left a will, published posthumously, in which he reaffirmed his dedication to truth and principle. He described his life as one filled with pain and loss, but expressed no regret for his work. His final message urged people not to forget Gaza and to remember him in their prayers. His killing has fueled debate over press freedom, the targeting of journalists, and the broader human cost of the war in Gaza
