Some of the heaviest Israeli bombardment in weeks was reported overnight in Gaza. Health authorities said at least 34 people were killed, including five Al Jazeera staffers. It comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continued to defend his plan to occupy Gaza’s largest city and an area that Israel has defined as a humanitarian zone for displaced Gazans.

Sharif, 28, drew millions of followers on social media and emerged as one of the top voices in the Arab world for his chronicling of the war in Gaza.

Local health officials in Gaza say Israeli forces have killed at least 55 people overnight, including a well-known journalist who Israel said was a militant and people who witnesses say were seeking humanitarian aid.