Abuse of a Palestinian Journalist Released from Israeli Detention

One of its Palestinian journalists was released from Israeli prison on Tuesday, according to The New Arab, a London-based media organization. The journalist claimed to have been tortured during his more than month-long incarceration.

According to the Qatari-owned source, Diaa al-Kahlout, one of the several Palestinians who were captured by Israeli forces in north Gaza last month and paraded just in their underwear, had been let back into Palestinian territory.

Kahlout told The New Arab in an article on its website that he had to deal with “indescribably tough and difficult” circumstances after his imprisonment.

The 37-year-old claimed to have endured torture and beatings.

“The moment I was detained, Israeli soldiers crowded round me… before they gagged me with tape so I couldn’t speak.”

According to several sources cited by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), a media watchdog organization located in Paris, the journalist was tortured while being detained briefly in Israel’s Eshel jail after his detention.

After Hamas terrorists started their October 7 offensive that claimed nearly 1,140 lives in Israel, the most of them civilians, an AFP count based on government numbers revealed that the deadliest Gaza conflict had ever broken out.

About 250 hostages were also taken by Hamas operatives, who are regarded by the US and the EU as “terrorist” organizations. According to Israel, 132 of them are still in captivity, with at least 25 of them thought to have died.

According to the health ministry of the Hamas-run enclave, Israel reacted to the worst assault in its history with unrelenting bombing, a blockade, and ultimately a ground invasion of Gaza that has killed at least 23,210 Palestinians, predominantly women and children.

Israeli media released footage of the men, including Kahlout, last month, purportedly confirming the surrender of Hamas fighters. In the video, several of the men can be seen handing up weapons.

Social media users expressed fury over the videos, and Hamas refuted claims that the people were part of its military wing.

According to the Israeli army, it often searches individuals it believes could be a danger to make sure they are not carrying weapons or explosives.

According to RSF, Israel has detained 31 Palestinian journalists out of a total of 38 since October 7.

Head of RSF’s Middle East department Jonathan Dagher said, “This intimidation, this terror, these endless attempts to silence Palestinian journalism, whether by chains, bullets, or bombs, must stop.”

“We call for the immediate release of all detained journalists and for their urgent protection,” he said.