‘Abhorrence’: SANEF joins global voices deploring Israel’s murders of journalists
PICTURE: Al Jazeera correspondent Anas al-Sharif was killed in an Israeli air strike on 10 August 2025 (Al Jazeera)
South African National Editors’ Forum
SANEF expresses its profound abhorrence and outrage at the continued assassination and brutal murder of journalists in Gaza. SANEF considers these actions deplorable and an evil assault on press freedom and human rights.
SANEF has, on numerous occasions, unequivocally condemned the brutality of the Israeli military in specifically targeting journalists and systematically denying other international journalists the ability to report live from Gaza. This pattern of behaviour is a grave threat to the public’s right to information.
The Al Jazeera Media Network has tragically reported the deaths of its five correspondents, Anas al-Sharif and Mohammed Qreiqeh, cameramen Ibrahim Zaher and Moamen Aliwa, and their assistant Mohammed Noufal, in what appears to be another blatant and premeditated attack on press freedom. These incidents are not isolated, but form part of a worrying pattern designed to silence critical reporting.
See ‘Anas raised his voice, but the world refused to listen’, here
Disturbingly, the Israeli military has admitted to targeting journalists, attempting to unfairly brand them as Hamas operatives without any shred of evidence to justify these cold-blooded murders.
We wish to record our deepest repugnance at the death toll of journalists in Gaza since the attack on 7 October 2023, by Hamas on Israeli civilians.
SANEF joins the call of other international organisations dedicated to defending media rights and advocating for media freedom and the protection of journalists, and voices its grave concerns
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), has repeatedly highlighted the record number of journalists killed in the conflict, emphasising the urgent need for investigations and accountability.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF), has similarly condemned the deliberate targeting of media workers, underscoring the vital role journalists play in informing the world during times of conflict.
Furthermore, the United Nations has noted that at least 242 Palestinian journalists have been killed in Gaza since October 2023.
SANEF calls upon all relevant international bodies and governments to exert maximum pressure to ensure the immediate cessation of hostilities against journalists, guarantee their safety, and hold accountable those responsible for these heinous crimes. The world relies on journalists to bear witness and report the truth, and their protection must be paramount.
