RSF Says Palestinian Journalists in Israeli Detention Faced Abuse and Inhumane Conditions

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has accused Israeli authorities and the Shin Bet internal security agency of subjecting Palestinian journalists from Gaza to inhumane treatment, abuse, and degrading conditions inside Israeli prisons since the start of the Gaza war.

In a report published this week, RSF said it interviewed five Palestinian journalists who were detained by Israeli forces after October 7, 2023. The testimonies described severe physical and psychological abuse, including beatings, humiliation, starvation, prolonged blindfolding, and harsh interrogation methods. The journalists interviewed included Al-Araby Al-Jadeed bureau chief Diaa al-Kahlout, Palestine Today cameraman Shady Abu Sedo, Al-Quds editor Emad al-Ifranji, and other media workers from Gaza.

According to RSF, several detainees said they were arrested while carrying out journalistic duties covering Israeli military operations and humanitarian conditions in Gaza. Some journalists reported being held for weeks or months without formal charges while denied access to lawyers or regular communication with family members.

One journalist told RSF he was beaten repeatedly during interrogations and forced into painful stress positions while blindfolded for extended periods. Others described overcrowded detention facilities, lack of medical treatment, food deprivation, sleep deprivation, and verbal abuse connected to their work as journalists.

RSF condemned the reported treatment and called for international investigations into alleged violations committed against journalists in Israeli custody. The organization argued that the detention and abuse of reporters represented a serious attack on press freedom and the public’s right to information during wartime.

The report comes amid growing international concern over the safety of journalists covering the Gaza conflict. Press freedom groups, including RSF and the Committee to Protect Journalists, have repeatedly stated that Gaza has become one of the world’s deadliest environments for media workers.

Israeli authorities have defended many wartime security measures by citing ongoing military operations against Hamas and broader national security concerns. Israel has previously denied accusations of systematically targeting journalists or abusing detainees, although rights groups continue documenting allegations involving arrests, violence, and restrictions on Palestinian media workers.

RSF urged international institutions and human rights organizations to pressure Israel to guarantee protections for journalists, allow independent investigations into detention conditions, and ensure that Palestinian reporters can work without fear of imprisonment or mistreatment.

Reference –

https://rsf.org/en/journalists-gaza-treated-inhumanely-israeli-army-and-shin-bet-israel-s-prisons