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July 03, 2025 – Palestine/Israel –
Palestinian journalists continue to face escalating repression as Israeli forces and occupation authorities intensify efforts to suppress independent reporting from Gaza and the West Bank. Recent cases highlight a deliberate pattern of physical attacks, prolonged detentions, and legal harassment aimed at silencing Palestinian voices.
On July 3, journalist Islam Al-Za’noun, a correspondent for Palestine TV, was injured by Israeli drone fire in Gaza while covering events on the ground. According to the Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation and WAFA, Al-Za’noun was shot in the shoulder in what they described as a targeted assault on the press. The incident has been widely condemned by Palestinian media institutions, who accused Israel of committing “a new crime” in its ongoing campaign against journalists. Ahmad Assaf, General Supervisor of Palestinian Official Media, urged international bodies to intervene and hold Israeli forces accountable for violations of press freedom.
Meanwhile, in East Jerusalem, journalist Bayan J’abeh remains under house arrest after being detained on February 28 while pregnant and reporting from Al-Aqsa Mosque. Her movement is strictly limited, and she is banned from accessing social media or entering the Old City. After giving birth during her confinement, her trial has been repeatedly delayed and is now scheduled for July 22. Press freedom groups have expressed grave concern over her treatment, citing humanitarian and legal violations.
The Palestinian Media Forum reports that since October 2023, more than 100 Palestinian journalists have been arrested by Israeli forces, with at least 60 still imprisoned. Many are held without formal charges, often under vague accusations linked to their journalistic work. In one recent example, veteran journalist Ali Al-Samoudi was detained during a raid in Jenin and required hospitalization following harsh conditions.
These incidents form part of a broader strategy to suppress Palestinian journalism through violence, intimidation, and legal persecution. Media organizations, including the Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate, warn that these actions are not isolated but reflect a systemic assault on the freedom of the press. They are calling for urgent international intervention to protect journalists, ensure their release, and uphold the right to report freely from the occupied territories.
Reference –
https://www.saba.ye/en/news3510342.htm
https://www.alquds.com/en/posts/165396
https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/158995
