Anas al-Sharif, a prominent figure at Al Jazeera in Gaza, was fatally shot in public view on Sunday evening, murdered inside a media tent outside Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.
The essence of democracy should not be reduced to mere formalities, a spectacle crafted to legitimize a bureaucratic system aimed at governing and pacifying. Rather than safeguarding freedom, this approach chokes it systematically. In the UK, we witness elderly individuals being forcibly removed by law enforcement for expressing dissent against the brutal and inhumane actions inflicted on Palestinians.
Israel no longer conceals its actions. The self-proclaimed “most ethical army worldwide” openly admits to targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure. Following the attack that claimed al-Sharif’s life and those of his colleagues, the Israeli military openly admitted responsibility. Among the casualties were Al Jazeera correspondent Mohammed Qreiqeh, cameraman Ibrahim Zaher, and crew members Mohammed Noufal.
The strike targeted a media tent adjacent to Al-Shifa Hospital, a facility that has been repeatedly attacked, with Israeli forces once alleging without evidence that Hamas was operating from beneath it. During these incidents, significant portions of the hospital were demolished, patients were displaced, and doctors were detained.
In a public statement last month, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Arabic spokesperson Avichay Adraee accused al-Sharif of being associated with Hamas’ military wing, a claim denounced by the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression as baseless and an attack on journalists. Despite acknowledging the killing of the journalists, Israel has failed to provide any evidence to support the allegation.
When questioned about the restriction of foreign journalists from Gaza, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu feigned confusion before highlighting plans to introduce more “embedded” reporters under military oversight. This approach does not promote press freedom but rather fosters state-controlled propaganda.
Israel’s security cabinet has greenlighted a proposal to seize Gaza City, a move criticized by global leaders and the UN for its potential to result in extensive forced displacement and further loss of innocent lives. Even within Israel, this decision faces strong opposition from military officials and the families of hostages.
The deliberate targeting of local journalists and the suppression of foreign ones is not incidental but rather a calculated strategy. The objective is clear: manipulate the narrative and eliminate witnesses.
Now is the time for the global press to determine whether it will uphold its integrity or submit. Journalism cannot be reduced to regurgitating official statements from a government accused of genocide by the UN, a government isolating itself as an outcast state.
Any claims of moral or legal authority to wage war must be subject to scrutiny, and serious allegations must be thoroughly investigated. This necessitates independent observers on the ground, devoid of military influence.
Should the press fail to demand unrestricted access to Gaza, it will forsake its primary duty: ensuring accountability for those responsible for atrocities.
André Liohn, a photojournalist and coordinator of the Freedom to Report initiative, shared these perspectives, emphasizing the importance of independent journalism.
The opinions expressed in this piece are solely those of the author.
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