"Reports Without Borders strongly condemns the arrest by Israeli troops on May 17 in the West Bank of Baha Khairi Attalah Mousa, the director of the Palestinian Prisoner Channel, a satellite television station for Palestinian prisoners," the group said in a statement.

Israeli forces raided Mousa's home in the village of Marka, south of Jenin, in the occupied West Bank, last Thursday, arresting the 38-year-old and seizing broadcasting equipment, computers, video cameras and documents, RSF said.

"Such abuses aimed at stifling the Palestinian media must cease," the watchdog added, saying it was the third time this year that Israeli authorities had "victimised" a Palestinian media organisation.

RSF called for Mousa's immediate release and the return of all confiscated equipment, saying that because the raid was carried out in territory under Palestinians administration, it was illegal under international law.

Launched on April 1, the Prisoner Channel is devoted to news about Palestinian prisoners and their families and also broadcasts cultural programmes. It is privately funded and not affiliated to any political organisation.