Funerals held for five Al Jazeera journalists killed in Israeli strike on Gaza City media tent

Gaza City – August 11, 2025 – Hundreds of mourners gathered in Gaza City today for the funeral of five Al Jazeera journalists killed in what the network and rights groups are calling a deliberate targeted assassination by Israeli forces. The attack, which took place late Sunday night outside al-Shifa Hospital, also claimed the lives of two other people and injured at least three more journalists. The strike hit a media tent where reporters had been sheltering and working, according to Al Jazeera’s Hani al-Shaer, who said the attack occurred at around 11:35pm local time. Footage from the funeral showed grieving crowds carrying the bodies through the streets, chanting in tribute to the slain reporters, and holding “PRESS” flak jackets aloft. Those killed included: Two freelance journalists, Mohammed al-Khaldi and one unnamed reporter, were also killed in the strike. Relatives of al-Sharif, already in mourning after an earlier Israeli air strike in 2024 killed his father, carried his 15-month-old son Salah and 4-year-old daughter Sham during the funeral procession to Sheikh Radwan Cemetery. Israel admits killing but labels journalists as militantsThe Israeli military confirmed it carried out the strike, accusing al-Sharif of leading a Hamas cell – an allegation Al Jazeera and rights groups say is unfounded and part of a pattern of smearing Palestinian journalists posthumously. A deadly patternThis is the latest in a long list of targeted killings of Al Jazeera staff since the war began in October 2023. Previous victims include: Since the war began, nearly 270 journalists and media workers have been killed in Gaza – an average of 13 every month – making it the deadliest conflict for journalists in recorded history. Rights groups, including the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF), say Israel’s actions are creating a “news void” by wiping out the very reporters documenting the war’s impact. Condemnation and calls for accountabilityAl Jazeera condemned the killings as a “premeditated attack on press freedom.” RSF described al-Sharif as “the voice of the suffering Israel has imposed on Palestinians in Gaza” and compared the attack to the killing of journalist Ismail al-Ghoul in 2024. Amnesty International called the killings a war crime and part of an Israeli strategy to “attack journalism itself by preventing the documentation of genocide.” The Palestinian mission to the UN accused Israel of systematically targeting reporters “to silence witnesses” to its military campaign. UN Secretary-General António Guterres’s spokesperson called for a full investigation, stressing that journalists must be able to work without fear of being targeted. Ongoing blockade and humanitarian crisisThe killings come just days after Israel’s security cabinet approved a plan to seize Gaza City and forcibly displace nearly one million residents. Gaza remains under a total blockade, with all goods and people controlled by Israel. Since March 2, the siege has caused a starvation crisis, killing over 200 people – more than half of them children – in recent weeks. As one mourner said during the funeral: “They wanted to silence their voices, but the whole world will hear them now.”

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Ukraine War: Three Killed in Russia as Drones Intercepted Near Moscow

Ukraine War: Three Killed in Russia as Drones Intercepted Near Moscow

Three people were killed in Russia overnight following Ukrainian attacks, regional authorities have confirmed. The strikes reportedly included drone incursions, with several unmanned aerial vehicles shot down while en route to Moscow. Russian officials said the deaths occurred in border regions already under heightened alert. The Defence Ministry claimed its air defences successfully intercepted multiple Ukrainian drones before they could reach the capital. In retaliation, Russian drones targeted several locations in Ukraine overnight, causing damage and disrupting power supply in affected areas. Ukrainian officials have not yet released casualty figures from those strikes. The latest escalation comes just days before former US President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday — a meeting that has already drawn international scrutiny given the ongoing conflict. Fighting between Russia and Ukraine has intensified in recent weeks, with cross-border drone warfare becoming a regular feature of the nearly three-year-old war.

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Israel Condemned Over Killing of Five Al Jazeera Journalists in Premeditated Attack on Press Freedom

Israel is facing global condemnation following the killing of five Al Jazeera employees, an act the broadcaster has described as a “blatant and premeditated attack on press freedom.” According to Al Jazeera, the journalists were on assignment when Israeli forces targeted their location, despite their identities and press status being clearly marked. The network alleges the strike was intentional and aimed at silencing independent coverage of the ongoing conflict. International media rights organisations, including the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF), have called for an urgent, independent investigation into the killings. Human rights groups have also warned that deliberate attacks on journalists may constitute war crimes under international law. Israel has yet to issue a detailed response to the accusations but has maintained that its operations target hostile threats and not journalists. The incident has further strained Israel’s relations with international media outlets, while Al Jazeera has vowed to pursue legal action through the International Criminal Court (ICC).

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Mo Salah Slams UEFA Over Tribute to Palestinian Pele Without Mentioning Cause of Death

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has criticised UEFA for omitting details about the death of former Palestinian football star Suleiman al Obeid, widely known as the “Palestinian Pele,” in its tribute post. The Palestine Football Association said al Obeid, 41, was killed on Wednesday by an Israeli airstrike targeting civilians while waiting for humanitarian aid in the southern Gaza Strip. In a short post on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday, UEFA described al Obeid as “a talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times” — but made no mention of how he died. Salah, an Egyptian international and one of the most influential Arab athletes in the world, responded publicly: “Can you tell us how he died, where, and why?” UEFA has told Sky Sports it will not comment on Salah’s remarks. Al Obeid, born in Gaza City, played for clubs across Gaza and the West Bank and was a key figure in Palestinian football for years. The Palestine FA’s tribute noted that he is survived by his wife, two sons, and three daughters. The criticism comes amid rising concerns over civilian casualties in Gaza. According to the United Nations, more than 1,000 people have been killed near aid distribution points and convoys in Gaza since late May, when the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation — a US and Israel-backed aid system — began operations. Salah has previously called for increased humanitarian aid access to Gaza during the ongoing conflict, which is approaching its two-year mark.

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Israel Strikes UN Clinic in Gaza, 23 Killed Since Dawn

By Kamal Yalwa: Gaza | August 6, 2025 Israeli forces have killed at least 23 Palestinians across the Gaza Strip since dawn, including in a strike on a United Nations clinic sheltering displaced civilians in Gaza City, according to reports from the ground. The attack comes amid escalating military operations, with aid agencies warning of a worsening hunger crisis and over 50 Palestinians reportedly killed in recent strikes on Gaza aid distribution sites. At the UN Security Council, UN Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenca called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s reported plan for the full occupation of Gaza “deeply alarming”. European Commission Vice President Teresa Ribera condemned the move as an “unacceptable provocation.

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Prince Harry Cleared of Bullying Allegations in Sentebale Charity Dispute

The UK Charity Commission has found no evidence of bullying or harassment at Sentebale, the charity co-founded by Prince Harry, following an investigation into a damaging internal dispute. The row erupted earlier this year after Sentebale’s chair, Dr Sophie Chandauka, accused the Duke of Sussex of “harassment and bullying at scale” during a Sky News interview in March. Her remarks came after Harry and several trustees resigned, calling for her to step down “in the best interest of the charity”. The Commission’s report criticised both sides for allowing the conflict to spill into the public, saying it “severely impacted the charity’s reputation” and risked undermining public trust in charities. While investigators found no evidence of systemic bullying, harassment, misogyny, or misconduct by either the chair or the Duke, they acknowledged the “strong perception of ill-treatment” felt by some involved. The report blamed poor clarity in role descriptions and internal policies for misunderstandings that fueled the dispute, which led to multiple trustee resignations and the departure of both founding patrons. Responses A spokesperson for Prince Harry welcomed the finding of no wrongdoing but said the report “falls troublingly short” for failing to hold the current chair accountable. They stressed that the fallout could harm “the children who rely on Sentebale’s support”, and said Harry will focus on finding new ways to help children in Lesotho and Botswana. Dr Chandauka thanked the Commission for confirming “governance concerns” she had raised privately but blamed an “unexpected adverse media campaign” by those who resigned for causing “incalculable damage” to the charity.Prince Harry Cleared of Bullying Allegations in Sentebale Charity Dispute UK | August 6, 2025 —The UK Charity Commission has found no evidence of bullying or harassment at Sentebale, the charity co-founded by Prince Harry, following an investigation into a damaging internal dispute. The row erupted earlier this year after Sentebale’s chair, Dr Sophie Chandauka, accused the Duke of Sussex of “harassment and bullying at scale” during a Sky News interview in March. Her remarks came after Harry and several trustees resigned, calling for her to step down “in the best interest of the charity”. The Commission’s report criticised both sides for allowing the conflict to spill into the public, saying it “severely impacted the charity’s reputation” and risked undermining public trust in charities. While investigators found no evidence of systemic bullying, harassment, misogyny, or misconduct by either the chair or the Duke, they acknowledged the “strong perception of ill-treatment” felt by some involved. The report blamed poor clarity in role descriptions and internal policies for misunderstandings that fueled the dispute, which led to multiple trustee resignations and the departure of both founding patrons. Responses A spokesperson for Prince Harry welcomed the finding of no wrongdoing but said the report “falls troublingly short” for failing to hold the current chair accountable. They stressed that the fallout could harm “the children who rely on Sentebale’s support”, and said Harry will focus on finding new ways to help children in Lesotho and Botswana. Dr Chandauka thanked the Commission for confirming “governance concerns” she had raised privately but blamed an “unexpected adverse media campaign” by those who resigned for causing “incalculable damage” to the charity.

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Netanyahu Pushes for Full Occupation of Gaza Security Cabinet to Decide

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly decided to pursue the full occupation of the Gaza Strip, with his security cabinet expected to meet this week to approve the plan. According to Israeli outlet Ynet, a senior official close to Netanyahu said, “This is die cast — we are going for the full occupation of the Gaza Strip. There will be operations even in areas where hostages are being held. If the chief of staff doesn’t agree, he should resign.” The Times of Israel reports that the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) currently control about 75% of Gaza, and the new strategy would involve seizing the remaining territory. In response, Hamas dismissed the threats as “repetitive, worthless and without influence” on its decisions. During a visit to IDF recruits at a base near Tel Aviv, Netanyahu stressed the need to finish the campaign. “It is still necessary to complete the defeat of the enemy in Gaza, release our hostages and ensure that Gaza never again constitutes a threat to Israel. We are not giving up on any of these missions,” he told the troops. The push for total occupation comes amid ongoing fighting and mounting international pressure for a ceasefire.

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Israel Kills Over 40 in Gaza as Aid Agencies Call for Immediate Ceasefire

More than 41 Palestinians have been killed in fresh Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip since dawn on Monday, including at least 20 people who were reportedly seeking humanitarian aid, according to local health authorities. The escalating violence has drawn urgent calls from international aid agencies, who warn that Gaza is on the brink of irreversible humanitarian collapse unless an immediate ceasefire is implemented. Speaking to Al Jazeera, aid organisations painted a dire picture of the situation in Gaza, where hunger and desperation continue to deepen amid near-total destruction and a critical shortage of supplies. “Without a cessation of hostilities, Gaza is spiralling into a humanitarian catastrophe that may soon become irreversible,” one aid official said. Despite a partial easing of the Israeli blockade since July 27, humanitarian access remains severely limited. Officials in Gaza say over 22,000 aid trucks are waiting outside the Strip, while an average of only 84 trucks per day are currently entering—far below the 600 daily trucks aid groups say are needed to meet basic human needs. Photos emerging from the ground show scenes of devastation and displacement. Among them is Zainab Dakka, a displaced mother seen standing outside her makeshift tent in Gaza City with her daughter and a bag of flour from a rare aid delivery. As food scarcity worsens, many Palestinians are now risking gunfire by scavenging for scraps to feed their families—underscoring the deadly consequences of the ongoing siege. Global pressure is mounting for a ceasefire, but diplomatic efforts so far have failed to yield progress.

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