On the 7th of December, Israeli occupation forces detained Diaa Kahlout, the correspondent for Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, in Al-Souk Street in Beit Lahia, Gaza. The Israeli forces also detained his brothers, relatives, and other civilians, acts that Al-Araby Al-Jadeed condemns unequivocally.
Al-Araby Al-Jadeed’s correspondent was among a large number of Gaza residents arrested by the Israeli occupation. Witnesses reported that the occupation forced them to disrobe and subjected them to invasive searches and humiliating treatment upon their arrest, prior to transporting them to undisclosed locations. Images and videos spread showing Israeli soldiers coercing the detained Gazans in violation of their dignity.
Al-Araby Al-Jadeed strongly condemns the humiliating arrest of colleague Diaa Al-Kahlout and other civilians and urges the international community, journalists’ rights defenders and watchdogs, and human rights bodies to denounce this ongoing assault committed by the Israeli occupation army against journalists since the 7th of October and exert efforts to ensure they are released from detention and protected.
According to the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate, 75 journalists and media workers have so far lost their lives, with nearly 80 sustaining injuries. Two journalists are still missing. The Israeli occupation has targeted the homes of 60 journalists and their families, demolished officers of 63 media institutions, and disrupted operations at 25 local radio stations (24 in Gaza and one in the West Bank). Three media outlets have been shuttered or restricted.
With the recent arrest of Diaa Kahlout, the number of journalists detained by Israel has risen to 44, including 41 in the West Bank and three in Gaza.