5 Palestinian journalists recount abuse in Israeli detention

Five Palestinian journalists who were detained by Israeli forces have detailed the severe mistreatment they endured while in custody. The journalists—Alaa al-Sarraj, Diaa al-Kahlout, Shadi Abu Sido, and Imad al-Ifranji—reported experiencing frequent interrogations focused on their media work, as well as significant physical and psychological abuse.

Shadi Abu Sido recounted that he was taken into custody on March 18, 2024, while covering a story at al-Shifa Medical Complex in Gaza. He spent 572 days in detention, being transferred between Sde Teiman, Ofer, and Ketziot prisons. Upon his release, he faced serious health issues, including vision loss in one eye, scabies, seizures, insomnia, and a lack of appetite.

Alaa al-Sarraj, who spent 692 days in Israeli prisons, said he lost his home, vehicle, media equipment, and the archive of his media organization. The journalists explained that they clearly identified themselves as members of the press at the time of their detention in Gaza, yet they were still abducted and taken to Israeli detention facilities.

The Reporters Without Borders (RSF) stated that the testimonies highlight the deliberate targeting of Palestinian journalists due to their professional activities. The organization characterized the interrogations and abuses as part of a systematic pattern of persecution. The accounts provided by the abductees illuminate the characteristics of the interrogations they experienced, with investigators concentrating their inquiries on their media involvement, field reporting, and professional connections.

Shadi Abu Sido reported that an Israeli military intelligence interrogator inquired about media coverage in northern Gaza and sought information regarding journalists who reported on the events of October 7. The report revealed that none of the five journalists have been able to resume their work after their release due to the physical and psychological repercussions of their detention.

According to Mehr News, the testimonies underscore the ongoing challenges faced by Palestinian journalists in Gaza, who continue to be targeted despite their professional status. The report by Mehr News added that the journalists' experiences reflect a broader pattern of abuse against media workers in the region.