The tragic death of Al Jazeera's Anas al-Sharif has sent shockwaves through the journalism community. Al-Sharif was a key voice reporting from Gaza since the genocide began in October 2023. He was among the few international journalists who stayed in northern Gaza during the genocide. He continued to report even as Israeli occupation forces told over a million Palestinians to leave the area.

A Voice from the Front Lines

Born in Jabalia refugee camp, Al-Sharif graduated from Al Axa University's media faculty. The 28-year-old reporter became a vital source of information from Gaza's front lines. He was committed to showing the truth of what was happening there.

Al-Sharif paid a high personal price for his work. In December 2023, Israeli terrorist forces killed his father when they hit the family home in Jabalia. This happened after he received death threats. Israeli occupation officers told him to stop reporting, but he refused to be silenced.

The pressure on Al-Sharif grew in recent weeks. The Israeli occupation army targeted him and his colleagues online. They falsely claimed Al-Sharif was a member of Hamas, which Al Jazeera strongly denies. The Committee to Protect Journalists warned that his life was in danger and called for international protection, but no help came.

Al Jazeera Media Network has called the death of al-Sharif and his colleagues a "targeted assassination". 

A Pattern of Attacks on Journalists

There are accusations that Israel has a history of killing journalists. Some allege they accuse journalists of being terrorists without providing proof. They say the only way to stop this is for Israel to follow international law. They say journalists are civilians and should never be targets in war.

A Final Message

Al-Sharif seemed to know he might be killed. A message was posted on his account after his death. It said:

"If these words reach you, know that Israel has succeeded in killing me and silencing my voice. I have lived through pain in all its details, tasted suffering and loss many times. Yet I never once hesitated to convey the truth as it is without distortion or falsification so that God may bear witness against those who stayed silent and accepted our killing."

He ended with, "Do not forget Gaza and do not forget me in your sincere prayers for forgiveness and acceptance."

The safety of journalists is important. They must be protected so they can continue to bring us the truth.

Learn more about press freedom and how you can support journalists around the world.

Follow Sawt Al Islam for next update 

Save journalists save truth