Funeral Held for Al Jazeera Journalists Killed in Gaza Airstrike Amid Global Condemnation
Dozens gathered in Gaza on Monday to mourn five Al Jazeera journalists and a sixth reporter who were killed in an Israeli airstrike, sparking widespread international condemnation.
The journalists, including Anas Al Sharif, 28, were killed in a targeted strike near Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. Medical officials confirmed additional casualties in the attack, which has intensified global concerns over the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza since October 2023.
Several international human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have accused Israel of committing acts amounting to “genocide,” allegations that Israel strongly denies.
Global Reactions:
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Pakistan: The government condemned the attack as a serious violation of international humanitarian law, urging the international community to act decisively to protect civilians and hold Israel accountable.
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Qatar: Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani described the killings as “crimes beyond imagination,” mourning the loss of journalists and condemning the deliberate targeting.
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United Kingdom: Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed grave concern over repeated attacks on journalists, emphasizing the need for their protection under international law and calling for thorough investigations into all allegations.
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United Nations: The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, called the killings a “grave breach” of international law, urging Israel to protect civilians and journalists, and demanded safe access for media personnel in Gaza.
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Iran: Iranian officials demanded accountability, labeling the killings as cold-blooded assassinations and calling for urgent global action to end the violence.
Press Freedom Groups Respond:
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Reporters Without Borders (RSF): Strongly condemned the killing of Anas Al Sharif, one of Gaza’s most prominent journalists, rejecting Israeli claims linking him to militant groups.
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Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ): Criticized Israel for labeling journalists as militants without credible evidence and called for accountability for those responsible.
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Freedom of the Press Foundation: Highlighted the vital role journalists play in revealing the realities of conflict, condemning attacks on media workers and urging stronger international responses.
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Amnesty International: Stated Israeli claims against Al Sharif were unsubstantiated and called for an independent investigation into the killing of Palestinian journalists, emphasizing the need to end the violence in Gaza.
The international outcry underscores the growing concern for the safety of journalists covering the ongoing conflict and the urgent need to protect civilian lives amid the escalating crisis.
