Israeli airstrike hits journalists tent outside al-Shifa hospital killing 5 Al Jazeera journos, calls Gaza correspondent Anas Al-Sharif 'Hamas leader'

(Photo: X/Anas Al-Sharif)

Qatari broadcaster Al Jazeera has confirmed that its correspondent Anas al-Sharif has been killed in Gaza.  

Earlier, Israel's military said Al Jazeera journalist Anas Al-Sharif was killed in a strike on Gaza City.  

In a statement released on Sunday, Israel's military said the 28-year-old journalist was the leader a cell for the militant group Hamas.  

"Anas Al Sharif served as the head of a terrorist cell in the Hamas terrorist organization and was responsible for advancing rocket attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF troops," the military said in the statement.

Barely an hour earlier, Al-Sharif posted on X: "Breaking: Intense, concentrated Israeli bombardment using 'fire belts' is hitting the eastern and southern areas of Gaza City."

Four other Al Jazeera staff killed in Israeli airstrike, broadcaster says

Four other Al Jazeera staff were killed in the Israeli airstrike that killed reporter Anas Al-Sharif, the Qatari media outlet said.

"Al Jazeera staff killed in what appears to be a targeted Israeli attack on a tent housing journalists outside al-Shifa hospital," the broadcaster wrote in a report on its English website.

Mohammed Qreiqeh, a journalist, and cameramen Ibrahim Zaher, Moamen Aliwa and Mohammed Noufal, were all killed in the strike.

"Al-Sharif, 28, was killed on Sunday after a tent for journalists outside the main gate of the hospital was hit. The well-known Al Jazeera Arabic correspondent reportedly extensively from northern Gaza,"  the Qatar-based broadcaster said.