Palestinian journalist taken captive by Israel tortured: Report

AFP , Ahram Online , Wednesday 10 Jan 2024

London-based news outlet Al-Araby Al-Jadeed announced on Tuesday the release of one of its Palestinian journalists from Israeli custody, saying he faced torture during more than a month in captivity.

Gaza
An image circulating on social media of what seems to be Diaa Kahlout as he was arrested with other Palestinian men.

 

Diaa al-Kahlout, who was among dozens of Palestinians shown taken captives by Israeli occupation troops and stripped to their underwear in north Gaza last month, had been released back into the Palestinian territory, the Qatari-owned website said.

Kahlout told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, sister operation of English-language news site The New Arab, that he had faced "indescribably tough and difficult" conditions following his arrest.

The 37-year-old said he had been beaten and tortured.

"The moment I was detained, Israeli soldiers crowded round me... before they gagged me with tape so I couldn't speak."

Paris-based media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has said following his arrest the journalist was briefly held in Eshel prison in Israel and was subjected to torture, according to several of the organisation's sources.

Videos have circulated of the Israeli army blindfolding and stripping naked dozens of Palestinians in Gaza before rounding them up in trucks and leading them to unknown destinations, had sparked outrage as scenes out of Nazi Germany.

RSF has said Israel has arrested a total of 38 Palestinian journalists since October 7 and is currently holding 31.

"This intimidation, this terror, these endless attempts to silence Palestinian journalism, whether by chains, bullets or bombs, must stop," said Jonathan Dagher, head of RSF's Middle East desk.

"We call for the immediate release of all detained journalists and their urgent protection," he added.

Two weeks ago, Palestinians held by the Israeli army in Gaza had also suffered torture, as recounted by freed captives and a medic.

 

 

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