The Israeli military has confirmed that it carried out the strike that killed Al Jazeera Arabic journalist Anas al-Sharif, claiming he was a member of a Hamas cell involved in coordinating rocket attacks on Israeli civilians and troops.

Al-Sharif, 28, was killed on Sunday alongside three colleagues when a tent for journalists outside Gaza City’s al-Shifa hospital was hit. Israel’s statement reiterated earlier allegations that al-Sharif was affiliated with Hamas, accusations the Al Jazeera Media Network has strongly rejected as false and part of a smear campaign.

The killing has intensified global concerns over the safety of journalists in Gaza, where more than 200 media workers have reportedly been killed since October 2023. Rights groups say the targeting of reporters undermines press freedom and limits independent coverage of the conflict.