Anas Jamal Mahmoud Al-Sharif (3 December 1996 – 10 August 2025) was a Palestinian journalist and videographer for Al Jazeera Arabic, renowned for his fearless frontline reporting from northern Gaza during the war. Born in the Jabalia refugee camp, he studied mass communication at Al-Aqsa University before joining Al Jazeera as a correspondent. From October 2023, he became one of the last reporters to remain in northern Gaza, continuing to cover the devastation despite constant bombardments, evacuation orders, and escalating threats to his life.
Al-Sharif’s work was marked by personal sacrifice. In December 2023, his father, aged 65, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on their family home in Jabalia. The loss only strengthened his resolve to report on the suffering and resilience of the people in Gaza. His dedication and bravery were recognized internationally, and in 2024 Amnesty International awarded him the Human Rights Defender Award for his unwavering commitment to truth and justice.
On 10 August 2025, Anas Al-Sharif and four of his colleagues were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a press tent near Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. The Israeli Defense Forces reiterated their accusation that he was a militant, but this was strongly refuted by his employer and global press advocacy groups.
Personal Profile
Age, Nationality, Hometown, and Family Background
Anas Jamal Al-Sharif was born in the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza. While his exact birth date hasn’t been widely reported, he was reported to be 27 in September 2024, making him approximately 28 at the time of his death in August 2025. He was Palestinian, deeply rooted in his refugee community.
He lost his 65-year-old father, Jamal, in a December 2023 Israeli airstrike on their family home in Jabalia—an event that deepened his resolve to continue reporting despite profound personal loss.
Early Life and Education
Al-Sharif studied mass communication at Al-Aqsa University, focusing on radio and television, preparing him for his future role at the forefront of journalism in Gaza.
Career Beginnings
Before joining Al Jazeera, he worked as a freelance photojournalist for multiple media outlets. With the outbreak of the Gaza war, Al-Sharif transitioned to television reporting, encouraged by a colleague, notably Tamer Al-Mashaal.
Rise to Prominence
Frontline Reporting
From October 2023 onward, as Gaza became increasingly inaccessible to foreign press, Al-Sharif remained one of very few journalists still operating in the north. He reported daily on casualties, destruction, famine, and resilience—often broadcasting from ruins, bombardment zones, and makeshift shelters.
Recognition and Awards
In 2018, he received the Best Young Journalist Award in Palestine. Later, in December 2024, Amnesty International awarded him the 2024 Human Rights Defender Award, citing his vivid, humane portrayal of civilian suffering in Gaza.
Threats, Smears, and Personal Risk
Targeted by Israeli Military
Beginning in late 2023, Al-Sharif received direct threats from the Israeli army—phone calls and WhatsApp voice notes instructing him to stop reporting and leave northern Gaza. His father’s death in December 2023 followed soon after.
The Israeli military publicly accused six Al Jazeera journalists, including Al-Sharif, of affiliation with Hamas or Islamic Jihad—allegations deemed baseless by the network and press freedom groups.
International Outcry
The Committee to Protect Journalists and a UN special rapporteur raised alarms over these threats. The CPJ warned that the smear campaign could be a precursor to assassination, while the UN freedom of expression expert warned that such unfounded accusations endangered his life and aimed to silence his reporting.
Emotional Reporting
In late July 2025, Al-Sharif appeared visibly emotional on air while reporting starvation in Gaza. The Israeli army’s spokesperson dismissed his grief as “crocodile tears,” intensifying the targeting of his character.
Personal Life
Little public information is available about his personal life, including marital status or children. Some Spanish-language reports mention a farewell letter where he entrusted care of his children, Sham and Salah, though these details await independent verification.
Salary and Net Worth
There is no publicly available information detailing Anas Al-Sharif’s salary or net worth. As a local correspondent in a conflict zone employed by a global news network, it’s likely he earned modest remuneration relative to the risk and significance of his work.
Death and Legacy
On 10 August 2025, at around age 28, Anas Al-Sharif and four fellow journalists were killed in an Israeli airstrike targeting their press tent near Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. The Israeli Defense Forces claimed he led a Hamas cell—an accusation widely disputed by Al Jazeera, CPJ, and other rights groups.
The incident was denounced as a deliberate attempt to silence critical media voices. His death added to the devastating toll on journalists in Gaza—over 230 killed since October 2023.
Conclusion
Anas Al-Sharif rose from the Jabalia refugee camp to become one of Gaza’s most recognized journalists, known for his empathy, resiliency, and commitment to truth. Tragedy struck repeatedly: losing his father, facing threats, and ultimately sacrificing his life in the line of duty. His legacy endures as a symbol of journalistic bravery under siege and the immense human cost of war reporting.
FAQs
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Who was Anas Al-Sharif?
Anas Al-Sharif was a Palestinian journalist and videographer for Al Jazeera Arabic, known for frontline reporting from Gaza. -
How old was he when he died?
He was approximately 28 years old at the time of his death in August 2025. -
Where was he from and educated?
He hailed from Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza and studied mass communication at Al-Aqsa University. -
What awards did he receive?
He received Palestine’s Best Young Journalist Award in 2018 and Amnesty International’s Human Rights Defender Award in 2024. -
Why was he targeted by the Israeli military?
He received direct threats and was publicly smeared with unsubstantiated accusations of militant ties, which press freedom groups condemned as attempts to silence him. -
Did he lose family members in the conflict?
Yes, his father Jamal was killed in a December 2023 Israeli airstrike on their home. -
Was he married or have children?
Publicly available information about his marital status or children is limited; some reports mention children named Sham and Salah. -
What was his net worth or salary?
No details about his earnings or net worth are publicly available. -
When and how did he die?
He died on 10 August 2025 in an Israeli airstrike on a press tent near Shifa Hospital in Gaza.
