UK's Starmer 'gravely concerned' about targeting of journalists in Gaza

LONDON (Reuters) -British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is "gravely concerned" about the repeated targeting of journalists in Gaza, his spokesperson said on Monday, after five reporters were killed in an Israeli airstrike.

Israel's military said it targeted and killed prominent Al Jazeera journalist Anas Al Sharif, alleging he had headed a Hamas militant cell and was involved in rocket attacks on Israel.

Al Jazeera, which is funded by the Qatari government, rejected the assertion, and before his death,Al Sharif had also rejected such claims by Israel.

"We are gravely concerned by the repeated targeting of journalists in Gaza," Starmer's spokesperson told reporters.

"Reporters covering conflicts are afforded protection under international humanitarian law, and journalists must be able to report independently, without fear, and Israel must ensure journalists can carry out their work safely."

Asked about the claim that one of the journalists was linked to Hamas, Starmer's spokesperson said: "That should be investigated thoroughly and independently, but we are gravely concerned by the repeated targeting of journalists".

(Reporting by Alistair Smout. Writing by Andrew MacAskill. Editing by Sachin Ravikumar)