Do not forget Gaza: Al Jazeera journalist Anas al-Sharif’s final message shared after his death
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Gaza City: Hours after Al Jazeera Arabic’s Gaza correspondent Anas al-Sharif was killed in an Israeli airstrike near Al-Shifa Hospital, his final message, written months earlier, was posted on his X account.
The targeted strike, which also claimed the lives of four other journalists, was confirmed by the Israeli army, which alleged that al-Sharif had been a Hamas member involved in launching rockets at Israel. The veteran journalist, who had received repeated threats for his coverage of the Israeli assault on Gaza, was known for reporting extensively on the humanitarian crisis in the enclave.
In his farewell message, al-Sharif reflected on his life in Jabalia refugee camp, his hopes of returning to his ancestral home in Asqalan (Al-Majdal), and his commitment to conveying the truth “without distortion or falsification.” He entrusted the world with the cause of Palestine, calling it “the jewel of the Muslim world and the pulse of every free heart,” and urged people not to be silenced by chains or borders.
Addressing his family directly, he expressed deep love for his daughter Sham, son Salah, mother, and wife, describing their resilience and sacrifices. He asked that they be supported in his absence.
“If my words reach you, know that Israel has succeeded in killing me and silencing my voice,” he wrote, adding a final plea: “Do not forget Gaza… And do not forget me in your good prayers for forgiveness and acceptance.”
Al-Sharif concluded by affirming his steadfastness on his principles and his hope to be accepted among the martyrs.
The April 6, 2025 letter has now become a testament to his lifelong commitment to the Palestinian cause.
This is my will and my final message. If these words reach you, know that Israel has succeeded in killing me and silencing my voice. First, peace be upon you and Allah’s mercy and blessings.
— أنس الشريف Anas Al-Sharif (@AnasAlSharif0) August 10, 2025
Allah knows I gave every effort and all my strength to be a support and a voice for my…
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NATO, others turn down US call for help in Hormuz: Trump
Washington (PTI): President Donald Trump on Tuesday said NATO and most of US' other allies have rejected his calls to help secure the Strait of Hormuz as the war with Iran entered the third week.
In a social media post, Trump asserted that Iran’s military has been “decimated” and he no longer felt the need for assistance from NATO countries or anyone else.
Last week, Trump had sought help from European nations and others who depend on oil supplies transiting from the Hormuz Strait to safeguard the critical waterway.
“The United States has been informed by most of our NATO “Allies” that they don’t want to get involved with our Military Operation against the Terrorist Regime of Iran, in the Middle East, this, despite the fact that almost every Country strongly agreed with what we are doing, and that Iran cannot, in any way, shape, or form, be allowed to have a Nuclear Weapon,” the US President said in a post on Truth Social.
Iran's attacks on Gulf nations and its grip on the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world's oil is transported, have sparked increasing concerns of a global energy crisis and are unnerving the world economy.
“I am not surprised by their action, however, because I always considered NATO, where we spend Hundreds of Billions of Dollars per year protecting these same Countries, to be a one-way street — We will protect them, but they will do nothing for us, in particular, in a time of need,” Trump said.
He said Australia, Japan and South Korea too have turned down his call for help.
“Fortunately, we have decimated Iran’s Military – Their Navy is gone, their Air Force is gone, their Anti-Aircraft and Radar is gone and perhaps, most importantly, their Leaders, at virtually every level, are gone, never to threaten us, our Middle Eastern Allies, or the World, again,” Trump said.
He said that given the scale of recent military successes, the US no longer "need" or desires assistance from NATO countries, adding that it never relied on such support in the first place.
Speaking as President of the United States, the "most powerful" country in the world, "we do not need" help from anyone, Trump said.
The West Asia conflict began on February 28 when the US-Israeli combine conducted airstrikes on Iran.
The Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway that connects the Persian Gulf to the open ocean, has effectively been shut following the US and Israel attack on Iran and Tehran's sweeping retaliation.
However, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had said that from Tehran's "perspective", the strait is "open". "It is only closed to Iran's enemies, to those who carried out unjust aggression against our country and to their allies.”
Earlier in the day, a second Indian-flagged LPG tanker, Nanda Devi, reached the country after safely sailing from the war-hit Strait of Hormuz. On Monday, the first ship, Shivalik, reached Mundra port in Gujarat.
As of now, 22 Indian vessels remain on the west side and two on the east side of the strait.
Indian authorities are in constant touch with all the relevant stakeholders in the region to secure the safe passage of the remaining ships, officials said.
