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October 17, 2025 – Palestine –
RSF has issued an urgent appeal to Israeli authorities demanding the prompt and unconditional release of 16 Palestinian journalists who remain in detention after being arrested by Israeli forces during the past two years in Gaza and the West Bank. The organization states that only three journalists were freed on 13 October 2025 as part of a prisoner-exchange deal with Hamas — the rest remain behind bars.
According to RSF, the three freed individuals — Alaa al‑Sarraj, Emad Zakaria Badr al‑Ifranj, and Shady Abu Sedo — were among nearly 1,968 Palestinian prisoners released by Israel in the first phase of the cease-fire-linked exchange. RSF emphasizes that none of the journalists should ever have been detained in the first place, describing their arrests as arbitrary and their ongoing detention as a grave infringement of press freedom.
RSF also raises serious concerns about the treatment of those detained. The freed journalists reportedly described “inhuman and degrading treatment” while in Israeli custody — allegations that, if verified, could amount to torture under international law. Martin Roux, Head of RSF’s Crisis Desk, reiterated that both the released and detained media professionals “never should have been illegally abducted by Israeli forces.”
The broader picture painted by RSF is stark: since October 7, 2023, arrests of Palestinian journalists have surged, with five detained before that date and a further 20-plus afterward, of whom 16 remain in detention. Press freedom advocates say the situation severely undermines the ability of journalists to report on conflict, undermines independent media in the region, and erodes the protections afforded to journalists under international humanitarian and human rights law.
In its statement, RSF demanded that Israel immediately release all remaining detained journalists, ensure full transparency around their detention conditions, and allow uninhibited access for independent media reporting in both Gaza and the West Bank.
Reference –
RSF calls on Israel to release 16 Palestinian journalists immediately
