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Qatar Press Center Warns of the Liquidation of Detained Palestinian Journalists

The Qatar Press Center expresses its concern about the deteriorating conditions of Palestinian detainees in Israeli occupation prisons. According to human rights, governmental, and media reports, 50 Palestinian journalists—men and women—are subjected to torture, starvation, medical neglect, and denial of treatment. In addition, they are deprived of any legal guarantees, which exposes them to physical liquidation and slow death.

The Center affirms that the ongoing Israeli arrests are part of a systematic policy targeting journalists in Gaza and the West Bank, including administrative detention, bombing of their work locations and homes, all aimed at silencing free media, concealing the truth, and preventing them from exposing Israel’s genocidal war against Palestinians.

The Center renews its call for the international community to pressure Israel to release the detained journalists, who are suffering in harsh conditions that deprive them of their most basic rights as prisoners—rights that are guaranteed by international laws and treaties.

Slow Execution

The Palestinian Prisoners Club and the Palestinian Journalists Protection Center estimate that about 50 journalists have been detained in Israeli occupation prisons since the beginning of the Israeli aggression on Gaza on October 7, 2023. They are among 177 journalists who have been arrested or detained since the start of the war of extermination against the Palestinian people, according to documentation and monitoring operations.

The Palestinian Journalists Protection Center recently warned about the dangerous deterioration of the conditions of imprisoned journalists due to medical neglect that amounts to slow execution.

Arbitrary Arrest

The Palestinian Journalists Protection Center renewed its urgent call for the international community to protect Palestinian journalists and to stop Israel’s policy of arbitrary detention, abuse, and medical neglect.

The Center highlighted the dire condition of journalists Jihad Badawi and Ali Al-Samoudi, who are held under administrative detention. They both suffer from chronic illnesses and were transferred to the Ramleh prison clinic.

The Ramleh clinic is known for its poor healthcare, where sick detainees receive what human rights organizations describe as "symbolic and insufficient" treatments, deepening the suffering of prisoners.

Reports confirm that the arrest campaigns are accompanied by escalating crimes and violations, including abuse, severe beatings, threats against detainees and their families, in addition to extensive destruction of homes, confiscation of vehicles, money, and gold.

Press Freedom

Reporters Without Borders stated that it continues to pressure Israeli authorities to ensure the protection of Palestinian journalists in Israeli prisons and stressed that press freedom is a priority.

Human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, have accused Israel of systematically neglecting medical care for detainees—treatment that may amount to inhumane or degrading treatment under international law.

Providing Protection

The Qatar Press Center has documented the killing of 229 journalists in Gaza since the beginning of the genocidal war against the people of Gaza on October 7, 2023. Israeli forces continue to target journalists through arrest and assassination.

In mid-April, the Center issued an international appeal through official letters sent to international organizations, including Reporters Without Borders, the International Federation of Journalists, and Human Rights Watch, calling for the protection of journalists in Gaza and the West Bank and the accountability of perpetrators.

The international appeal stated: In light of the unprecedented and ongoing assault against Palestinian journalists in Gaza and the West Bank, who have become direct targets of the Israeli killing machine, the Qatar Press Center calls on UN bodies, human rights organizations, and press unions to assume their responsibilities and urgently act to stop the bloodshed and provide legal and logistical protection for journalists in the Palestinian territories.

Lack of Justice

Administrative detention is a colonial practice first used by the British Mandate and reintroduced by the Israeli occupation. It involves indefinite imprisonment without trial or charge of individuals whom Israel claims may pose a “future security threat” based on “secret information” not disclosed to the detainee or their lawyer.

The structure of the Israeli military courts excludes any possibility of independence or impartiality, as Israeli army officers serve as judges and prosecutors simultaneously. Judgments are issued based on Israeli military orders from the military commander, violating the core principles of fair trial guarantees and respect for the rights of the defense.

Israeli authorities may initially detain any person for six months, but this period can be indefinitely extended. As a result, detainees have no idea when they will be released, causing significant psychological distress to them and their families.