Albanese Condemns Gaza Journalist Killings

An Israeli airstrike near Al Shifa Hospital killed 6 media workers, including journalist Anas al-Sharif.

Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks during a press conference in Canberra, Australia, on Aug. 11, 2025. Hilary Wardhaugh/AFP via Getty Images

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has joined international voices in condemning the deaths of journalists in Gaza, saying the loss of innocent lives, including media workers and aid staff, is unacceptable.

His remarks came after an Israeli airstrike on Aug. 10 killed prominent Al Jazeera journalist Anas al-Sharif, four of his colleagues, and an assistant in Gaza City—an attack widely condemned by rights groups and media organisations.

“There have been too many journalists, people who are aid workers as well, providing assistance, including, of course, an Australian citizen lost in the past couple of years. We see too many innocent lives being lost across the board,” he told ABC News Breakfast.

While criticising the killings, Albanese did not specifically comment on the death of al-Sharif, who Israel alleges was linked to Hamas.

“Look, I’m not in a position to comment on any individual. What we can say, though, is that too many innocent lives have been lost in Gaza,” he said.

Airstrike Claims 6 Media Staff

Al-Sharif, 28, was killed alongside four colleagues and an assistant in an Israeli airstrike on a tent near Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, according to Gaza health officials and Al Jazeera. The strikes also claimed the life of a sixth journalist, freelance reporter Mohammad Al-Khaldi.

Hospital staff said two more individuals also died.

Israel’s military claims al-Sharif was involved in rocket attacks that targeted Israeli civilians and military and had headed a Hamas militant cell. It released undated images that showed al-Sharif with senior Hamas officials to back its claims, however, Reuters said it could not verify the authenticity or timing of the photos.

Al Jazeera said al-Sharif had faced threats from Israel before and rejected claims that he headed a Hamas militant cell.

“Anas al-Sharif and his colleagues were among the last remaining voices in Gaza conveying the tragic reality to the world,” the network said, calling him “one of Gaza’s bravest journalists.”

The other journalists killed were identified as Mohammed Qreiqeh, Ibrahim Zaher, and Mohammed Noufal.

Mourners carry bodies of Palestinians killed in an overnight Israeli strike, ahead of a group funeral outside the Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City on Aug. 11, 2025. Omar Al-Qattaa/AFP via Getty Images

Rights groups, the U.N. human rights office, and Qatar’s prime minister condemned the strike as a breach of international humanitarian law.

Israel maintains it does not deliberately target reporters, arguing many are actually militant operatives posing as journalists.