Palestinian Journalist Confirms Message From Gaza Will Not Stop Due To Israeli Attack

JAKARTA - Palestinian journalists confirmed a humanitarian message from the Gaza Strip, although Israeli attacks have repeatedly killed their colleagues.

It was said after Israel launched an airstrike that killed six journalists in the Palestinian enclave on Sunday.

Israeli soldiers admitted to deliberately killing Anas al-Sharif (28) who was accused of being a member of Hamas. The attack also killed his colleagues, Mohammed Qreiqeh, Ibrahim Zaher, Moamen Aliwa and Mohammed Noufal.

In a touching message prepared by Anas if he dies, he says "never hesitate to tell the truth as it is", although he has "repeatedly felt sorrow and loss".

Israel claims Al Sharif is a Hamas agent who "serves as head of a terrorist cell" while posing as a journalist, a claim Al Jazeera denies.

Speaking to The National, Palestinian journalists pledged not to give up on what they saw as Israel's other attempts to silence them.

"This message will not stop," said Waleed Abdul Rahman, a journalist on Palestine TV, to The National, as quoted August 12.

For those who know Anas, Mohammed, and their colleagues who died, deep sorrow is so deep, but their determination is as well.

"The population wants to silence the message. However, nothing will stop the message. The Palestinian narrative will continue to reach the world," said Qatar Prime Minister, where Al Jazeera's head office is, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.

Reuters reported the sixth journalist, Mohammad Al Khaldi, was also killed in the attack, citing hospital staff. One other person who has not been identified is among the dead.

Journalist Wadie Abu Al Soud described the victims as "a trace of Palestinian narratives exploring the world without compromise", covering a war that has shifted from fighting Hamas to making the entire population starving and preparing to seize their land.

Meanwhile, Islam El Zaanoun from Palestine TV voiced the same thing, saying the deadly attack was a "tragagey painful but not surprising".

"We know that the press vest cannot protect us from Israeli missiles," he told The National.

"We are part of the siege and assassination. Foreign journalists must be brought in to help Palestinian journalists continue this coverage," he added.

The incident saw the number of journalists killed by Israel since the war began in October 2023, following Hamas-led attacks, to more than 180, the Journalist Protection Committee said.

The funeral was held on Monday, with bodies being taken from Al Shifa Hospital to the homes of each victim, then taken to Sheikh Radwan Cemetery in Gaza for burial.

Al Jazeera staff held a televised warning event at the news network's head office in Doha.

The moment Qreiqa, another journalist in Gaza, compared the killings to political intimidation elsewhere in the world: "This murder is no different from threatening to sue newspapers just for issuing occupational crimes and hunger in Gaza. It's about silencing reporters of truth."

Journalist groups in Gaza have urged the International Journalists Federation, the Arab Journalists Association, and other press agencies to take immediate action.