In a story originally published Aug. 11, 2025, about journalists in Gaza, The Associated Press reported that Israel had accused Anas al-Sharif, without evidence, of leading a Hamas cell. Israel released documents in October 2024 it said it had seized from Gaza showing that al-Sharif was a member of Hamas’ armed wing,

Officials accused Anas al-Sharif of being a Hamas operative posing as a reporter. Al Jazeera says he and the other four victims all worked for the network.

"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," Al Jazeera wrote on Sunday.