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January 08, 2025 – France/Israel/Syria –
French freelance journalist Sylvain Mercadier and his Syrian fixer Mohammed al-Fayyad were detained by Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) in the Hamidiyah area, located in the buffer zone of the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, near the Syrian border. The pair was reportedly held for over four hours, during which they were blindfolded, handcuffed, and subjected to what Mercadier described as humiliating treatment.
According to Mercadier’s account, the IDF accused them of entering a restricted military area and confiscated their belongings, including SIM cards, memory cards, and approximately $200 from al-Fayyad. After hours of interrogation, they were released and left in an isolated desert area without their possessions. The IDF has confirmed the detention but denied mistreatment or confiscation of property, claiming the journalists were in proximity to military operations and were released with all equipment returned.
The incident has raised alarm among press freedom advocates. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemned the detention and treatment, describing it as part of an ongoing pattern of intimidation against journalists covering Israeli military activity. RSF and other media watchdogs have urged Israeli authorities to provide transparency and ensure journalists’ safety, particularly in volatile regions such as the Golan Heights and southern Syria.
This is not the first such case in the area. In recent weeks, other journalists, including a BBC team, reported being detained and mistreated by IDF soldiers while reporting in the same region. These repeated incidents highlight increasing obstacles for journalists working in or near military zones under Israeli control.
Mercadier’s detention underscores the challenges foreign correspondents face in conflict zones, particularly in areas with contested sovereignty and ongoing military operations. While states have the right to enforce security, journalists—especially those identified and accredited—are entitled to protections under international law.
The case has reignited calls for Israel to clarify its policies toward journalists in military areas and to refrain from actions that hinder press freedom. Without accountability and safeguards, such incidents threaten not only the safety of reporters but also the public’s right to information in conflict settings.
Reference –
https://www.newarab.com/news/israel-army-briefly-detains-french-reporter-golan-buffer-zone-0
