Saturday, March 29, 2025
Israeli forces arrested prominent Palestinian journalist Ali al-Samoudi early Tuesday in Jenin, West Bank. The Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate condemned the arrest, calling it part of a broader crackdown on press freedom in the region.
Al-Samoudi, 58, is known for his work with Western media outlets. Israeli forces detained him during a raid on his son’s home. They interrogated him for 30 minutes at an undisclosed location. His health deteriorated, so authorities transferred him to a hospital. His son, Mohammed, said his father had been in poor health before the arrest.
Israeli military officials claim al-Samoudi has ties to the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group and transferred funds to it. However, they have not provided any evidence to support these accusations. Al-Samoudi’s family denies the charges, stating that he has always maintained a professional career without such allegations.
They also criticized Israeli authorities for withholding crucial information. They don’t know the location of the hospital or details about his condition.
Israeli security forces announced that they detained 24 individuals across the West Bank. These individuals allegedly transferred funds to terrorist groups. Among them were three individuals from Jenin. The raids in the region have sparked concerns about press freedom and journalist safety.
Al-Samoudi was working with Al Jazeera correspondent Shireen Abu Aqla in May 2022 when Israeli snipers shot and killed her at the entrance to the Jenin refugee camp. Al-Samoudi was also wounded in the attack. This incident drew international outrage for targeting journalists. Al-Samoudi’s work as a journalist in conflict zones has earned him respect.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reports that Israeli forces have arrested at least 79 journalists in the West Bank and Gaza since October 2023. The conflict has also led to the deaths of 176 journalists, mostly Palestinians, across Gaza, the West Bank, Israel, and Lebanon. This raises concerns about the increasing risks journalists face in the region.
The Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate has called for international support to protect journalists. They demand the immediate release of al-Samoudi and others detained under similar conditions.
