Israel’s military struck an area outside Gaza City’s hospital complex Sunday, killing Al Jazeera correspondent Anas al-Sharif, fellow journalist Mohamed Qureiqa and at least six others who had been seeking shelter there.
Shifa Hospital officials confirmed the deaths, including four additional journalists and two civilians and said the airstrike also damaged the emergency building’s entrance, hospital director Rami Mohanna told The Associated Press (AP).
The strike drew sharp condemnation from press freedom advocates, who called it a retaliatory attack targeting those documenting the conflict in Gaza.
Later Sunday, Israel’s military accused al-Sharif of leading a Hamas cell – a claim both Al Jazeera and al-Sharif consistently rejected as unfounded.
The incident marked the first time during the war that Israel’s military has swiftly claimed responsibility after a journalist was killed in a strike.
