WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The United States  (US) on Tuesday declined to criticise Israel over the killing of four Al Jazeera journalists and one freelancer in the Gaza Strip, referring questions to its ally.

The Israeli military alleged that Anas al-Sharif, a prominent face on the Qatar-based network covering the violence, headed a Hamas “terrorist cell” and was “responsible for advancing rocket attacks” against Israelis.

“What I will tell you is that we refer you to Israel for information regarding al-Sharif,” State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce told reporters.

She voiced respect for journalists who cover war zones but said that Hamas members have been “embedded in society, including posing as journalists.”

“It is a horrible thing to do for those of you who are committed to finding information for people to be in that situation,” she said.

European and Arab governments, the United Nations and media rights groups all voiced outrage over the killing.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said that there needed to be “clear evidence” for Israel’s allegations and respect for rules of war against targeting journalists.

Al Jazeera initially said four other employees — correspondent Mohammed Qreiqeh and cameramen Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal and Moamen Aliwa — were also killed when the strike hit a tent set up for journalists outside the main gate of Al-Shifa Hospital.  That count was reduced to three with one of the individuals killed now listed as a freelancer.

According to local journalists who knew him, Sharif had worked at the start of his career with a Hamas communication office, where his role was to publicise events organised by the group that has ruled the Gaza Strip since 2006.