Journalists freed after 12-hour Israeli arrest in Gaza

Summary:

• Several journalists were released after being detained by Israeli forces in Gaza’s Al-Shifa Hospital. The journalists were subjected to beatings and arrests, with no official statement provided by the Israeli army.

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On Monday, several journalists detained for 12 hours by Israeli forces in Gaza City’s Al-Shifa Hospital were released. Ismail al-Ghoul, a correspondent for Al Jazeera Arabic, was among those who regained freedom.

Upon his release, al-Ghoul revealed that Israeli forces had dismantled media equipment and apprehended journalists congregated in a media room, as reported by Al Jazeera. The exact number of journalists released remains undisclosed, with no statement issued by the Israeli army on the matter.

An eyewitness informed Anadolu that Israeli forces had detained multiple journalists at Al-Shifa Hospital, subjecting them to severe beatings, blindfolding, and subsequent custody.

According to Palestinian sources, since October last year, at least 135 journalists have lost their lives amid Israel’s sustained offensive in the Gaza Strip. This offensive commenced following a cross-border assault by the Palestinian group Hamas on October 7, 2023, resulting in nearly 1,200 fatalities.

Since then, over 31,700 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, have perished in the enclave, with nearly 73,800 others sustaining injuries amidst widespread destruction and shortages of essential supplies.

The Israeli onslaught has forced 85% of Gaza’s populace into internal displacement, compounded by a severe blockade limiting access to food, water, and medicine. Moreover, 60% of the enclave’s infrastructure has been damaged or razed, as per UN estimates.

Israel faces allegations of genocide at the International Court of Justice. In January, an interim ruling mandated Tel Aviv to cease genocidal actions and ensure the provision of humanitarian aid to Gaza’s civilians.