Israel says it killed a journalist from Al Jazeera, claiming he was in charge of a Hamas cell.
Al Jazeera journalist Anas al-Sharif, who reported extensively from northern Gaza for the Doha-based outlet, is understood to have been killed in a targeted attack, according to the director of the al-Shifa hospital.
The 28-year-old correspondent was inside a tent for journalists outside the main gate of the hospital when it was hit, killing him and three colleagues.
Mohammed Qreiqeh, another correspondent, and camera operators Ibrahim Zaher and Mohammed Noufal were also killed.
In his last post on Twitter, which was shared shortly before his death, al-Sharif wrote that Gaza City was being bombarded with concentrated attacks, which are known as “fire belts”.
He also shared a video in which Israeli bombs can be heard pounding the besieged city in the distance.
Israel shared a statement in which it announced its military had kiled al-Sharif, accusing him of being in charge of a Hamas cell. In this role, they said he was responsible for “advancing rocket attacks against Israeli civilians and troops”.
They also claim to have “unequivocal proof” of his involvement.
An analyst at the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor, Muhammed Shehada, refuted Israel’s claims, saying there was no evidence he had anything to do with Hamas.
“His entire daily routine was standing in front of a camera from morning to evening,” he told Al Jazeera.
This is a breaking news story. Follow us on Google News , Flipboard , Apple News , Twitter , Facebook or visit The Mirror homepage.