Al Jazeera Arabic correspondent Anas al-Sharif and four colleagues were killed Sunday night in a deliberate Israeli strike on a journalist tent outside Al-Shifa Hospital, both the network and Israel confirmed.

Those killed alongside al-Sharif, 28, were Al Jazeera Arabic correspondent Mohammed Qreiqeh, 33; and cameramen Ibrahim Zaher, 25; Mohammed Noufal, 29; and Moamen Aliwa, 23. Freelance reporter Mohammed al-Khaldi, who also worked for the network, was also killed, according to Al-Shifa Hospital.

Funerals were held on Monday in Gaza City for the five journalists.

Israel has long accused al-Sharif of being a Hamas member and participating in the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel — a claim Al Jazeera has categorically denied. In a statement after the strike, the Israel Defense Forces called al-Sharif “head of a Hamas terrorist cell” who “advanced rocket attacks on Israeli civilians and IDF troops.” The claim has not been independently verified.

Like other Palestinian journalists in Gaza, al-Sharif wrote a final statement on April 6 to be published if he was killed. It was posted on X upon the confirmation of his death:

“This is my will and my final message. If these words reach you, know that Israel has succeeded in killing me and silencing my voice,” the statement began.”

“Do not forget Gaza… And do not forget me in your sincere prayers for forgiveness and acceptance,” it continued.

Read the complete published statement here.

Al-Sharif was a prominent figure on Al Jazeera Arabic, often reporting live from northern Gaza wearing a blue press helmet and vest. He was among the few journalists operating in the area, which has been a major combat zone since the war began.

In a statement, Al Jazeera condemned what it called “the targeted assassination” of its journalists.

“Al Jazeera Media Network condemns in the strongest terms the targeted assassination of its correspondents Anas Al Sharif and Mohammed Qraiqea, along with photographers Ibrahim Al Thaher, and Mohamed Nofal, by the Israeli occupation forces in yet another blatant and premeditated attack on press freedom,” the network said.

 “The order to assassinate Anas Al Sharif, one of Gaza’s bravest journalists, and his colleagues, is a desperate attempt to silence the voices exposing the impending seizure and occupation of Gaza.”

 “As Al Jazeera Media Network bids farewell to yet another group of its finest journalists, who boldly and courageously documented the plight of Gaza and its people since the onset of the war, it holds the Israeli occupation forces and government responsible for deliberately targeting and assassinating its journalists. This follows repeated incitement and calls by multiple Israeli officials and spokespersons to target the fearless journalist Anas Al Sharif and his colleagues,” the statement continued.

The network urged the international community to hold Israel accountable.

Al-Sharif is survived by his wife and two children. Nearly 270 journalists have been killed in Gaza since October 2023, according to Al Jazeera.