The United Nations Human Rights office has denounced what it described as a targeted Israeli attack that killed five journalists in Gaza, stressing that it is a breach of international law.
Five Al Jazeera journalists, including correspondent Anas al-Sharif, were killed in an Israeli air strike on Sunday.
Two others were killed, including a freelance journalist.
Israel’s military said it targeted Sharif, alleging he had “served as the head of a terrorist cell in Hamas” – something Sharif denied as Israel was yet to provide evidence at the time of filing this report.
The attack and the resultant deaths have been condemned by media right groups including countries such as Qatar.
In a related development, UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer expressed concern over the incident and called for an independent investigation.
The Prime Minister’s spokesman said Israel should ensure that journalists can work safely and report without fear.
The funerals of Sharif, fellow Al Jazeera correspondent Mohammed Qreiqeh, and cameramen Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal and Moamen Aliwa took place on Monday.
Mohammad al-Khaldi was named by medics at al-Shifa hospital as the sixth journalist who was killed during the strike, according to Reuters news agency reported.
The agency said another person was also killed in the attack.
Streets in Gaza were thronged with crowds that gathered for the funerals.
Anas al-Sharif was a household name who had millions of followers online.
Reporters Without Borders, a media freedom group, also strongly condemned what it called the assassination of Sharif.
The Foreign Press Association said it was outraged by the targeted killing. It said the Israeli military had repeatedly labelled Palestinian journalists “as militants, often without verifiable evidence”.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said it was appalled by the attack, noting that Israel had failed to provide evidence to back up its allegations against Sharif.
CPJ disclosed that at least 186 journalists have been killed since the start of Israel’s military offensive in Gaza in October 2023.
“Israel must respect & protect all civilians, including journalists,” the UN Human Rights office said in a post on X. “We call for immediate, safe and unhindered access to Gaza for all journalists.”
“Israel has a longstanding, documented pattern of accusing journalists of being terrorists without providing any credible proof,” the organisation added.
The Israeli military said it has documents found in Gaza, confirming that Sharif belonged to the Hamas.
These, he said include “personnel rosters, lists of terrorist training courses, phone directories and salary documents”.
