Madonna urges Pope to visit Gaza, as the world reels from yesterday’s tragedy

Pop star Madonna has called for Pope Leo to travel to Gaza in response to the ongoing humanitarian situation in the region, urging him to “bring your light to the children before it’s too late.”

In a post shared on Instagram Monday, she expressed her concern for the suffering of children, stating, “As a mother, I cannot bear to watch their suffering. The children of the world belong to everyone. You are the only one of us who cannot be denied entry.”

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The appeal came as the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, with the international community focused on the mounting casualties and displacement. Just yesterday, the world was shaken by the targeted assassination of Al Jazeera journalists, including prominent names like Anas al-Sharif who had been covering the genocide for the past two years.

HERE’S WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT JOURNALISTS KILLED IN ISRAELI AIRSTRIKE

Palestinians in Gaza held a funeral procession for Al Jazeera journalists killed by the Israeli airstrike on Sunday. Israel’s military claimed responsibility for the targeted strike on Anas al-Sharif that also claimed the lives of five other journalists.

IDF accused al-Sharif of being a Hamas fighter disguised as a journalist. The Israeli statement described him as “the head of a terrorist cell” and stated that efforts were made to minimize civilian casualties. However, there is ample evidence available against the atrocious claims made by the IDF.

Also read: Who was Anas al-Sharif, the Al Jazeera journalist martyred by Israel?

Al Jazeera also rejected Israel’s claims, describing the attack as an attempt to silence those reporting on the situation in Gaza. Israel also killed journalists Mohammed Qreiqeh, Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal, Moamen Aliwa and Mohammad al-Khaldi in a drone strike on their tents near al-Shifa hospital.

Here are the details about the journalists targetted by Israel:

Anas Al-Sharif, 28, a father of two, was born in the Jabaliya refugee camp in northern Gaza. He graduated from Al-Aqsa University’s Faculty of Media. His father was killed in a separate Israeli airstrike on the family home in December 2023, according to Al Jazeera.

He was known for his live on-the-ground reports from Gaza, frequently broadcasting from sites affected by recent airstrikes. As news organisations face restrictions on entering Gaza, al-Sharif and other Al Jazeera reporters became key figures in delivering coverage of the conflict to the Arab world.

Mohammed Qreiqeh, a 33-year-old correspondent for Al Jazeera, was killed shortly after delivering his final live broadcast. He was from Gaza City and lived in the Shujayea neighborhood. Qreiqeh held a degree in journalism and media from the Islamic University of Gaza. His brother had been killed earlier this year in an Israeli airstrike on Gaza City.

Ibrahim Zaher, a 25-year-old cameraman for Al Jazeera, was from the Jabaliya refugee camp in northern Gaza.

Mohammed Noufal, 29, was an assistant for Al Jazeera. Like Zaher, he was from Jabaliya. The network reported that his mother and brother had been killed in prior Israeli attacks. His brother, Ibrahim, had also worked as a cameraman for the network.

Moamen Aliwa, 23, was identified as a cameraman by Al Jazeera, but further biographical details have not been released. The network has not provided additional information about Aliwa or the other journalists killed.

Also read: Anas al-Sharif among five Al Jazeera journalists martyred by Israel

In addition to the Al Jazeera staff, Reuters reported that freelance journalist Mohammad Al-Khaldi also lost his life in the same attack. Medics at al-Shifa Hospital in northern Gaza confirmed the deaths of seven individuals in total, with several others wounded.