Israel arrests veteran Palestinian journalist in West Bank
DUBAI: Israeli forces arrested prominent Palestinian journalist Ali Al-Samoudi during an overnight raid on Tuesday in the northern West Bank city of Jenin, according to media reports.
Al-Quds newspaper correspondent Al-Samoudi, 58, was detained after the Israeli military raided and searched up his home in Al-Zahraa neighborhood, destroying 'some of its contents'.
According to the military, he is accused of having ties with the militant Palestinian Islamic Jihad organization and transferring funds to the group. However, the military did not provide evidence to support the claim.
After he was interrogated at a disclosed location, Al-Samoudi was transferred to an Israeli hospital due to his health deteriorating, his son Mohammed told the BBC.
His family, who denies the accusations, was not informed of the name of the hospital where he was being treated, or any other details.
Al-Samoudi previously survived an attack by Israeli forces in 2022, the same assault that killed prominent Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Aqleh, who was a correspondent for Al-Jazeera.
Al-Samoudi was shot and wounded in his back.
The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate condemned Al-Samoudi's arrest in a statement on Tuesday.
As of April 30, 2025, the Committee to Protect Journalists has documented 79 arrests of journalists by Israel in the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and Gaza since Oct. 7 war began, in addition to five other arrests by the Palestinian authorities.
Forty-nine of these journalists, including the five held by Palestinian authorities, have since been released, while 35 remain under arrest.
The CPJ's preliminary investigations also showed at least 176 journalists and media staff were killed during Israel's war on Gaza, West Bank and Lebanon, marking the deadliest period for journalists in the region.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Leaders
13 hours ago
- Leaders
Former Israeli PM Olmert Denounces Gaza Conflict: "What is it if not a war crime?"
Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has sharply criticized the current political leadership and military actions in Israel. In a recent interview with CNN, he expressed his inability to defend Israel against accusations of war crimes. Olmert, who served from 2006 to 2009, highlighted the ongoing blockade of humanitarian aid into Gaza and the rising death toll among Palestinians. A Rhetorical Question on War Crimes 'What is it if not a war crime?' Olmert asked rhetorically during the interview. He accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and far-right government members of committing actions that cannot be justified. Since the war began, Olmert has defended Israel against claims of genocide and ethnic cleansing in Gaza. He previously asserted that Israel does not deliberately target civilians, especially women and children. However, after 19 months of conflict, Olmert believes he can no longer maintain that defense. Following the publication of his op-ed in Haaretz, he stated, 'What we are doing in Gaza now is a war of devastation.' He described the military actions as indiscriminate, limitless, cruel, and criminal against civilians. CNN has reached out to the Prime Minister's Office for a response to Olmert's statements. Rising Casualties in Gaza According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, over 54,000 Palestinians have died in Gaza since the war began. This figure includes at least 28,000 women and children. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported in January that they had killed more than 20,000 Hamas fighters. Olmert emphasized the need to protect uninvolved civilians in Gaza from military operations, which he deemed unjustified. 'I think that we have to make sure that no uninvolved people in Gaza are hurt,' he said. Olmert directed most of his criticism toward Netanyahu and far-right ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich. He expressed hope that this government would soon disappear, stating, 'I believe that the majority of Israelis are sick and tired of these policies.' He lamented the damage this government has caused to Israel's moral integrity. Polls indicate that most Israelis support a comprehensive ceasefire agreement. This agreement would involve the release of the remaining 58 hostages held in Gaza and an end to the ongoing conflict. Despite this, Netanyahu has refused to commit to a ceasefire, insisting that military operations will continue until Hamas is defeated. Hope for Change Through Trump Like many hostage families who have lost faith in Netanyahu, Olmert looks to U.S. President Donald Trump for assistance in ending the war. He believes Trump is one of the few individuals capable of compelling Netanyahu to confront the reality of the situation. 'I really certainly think that he is the only person perhaps that can force the Israeli prime minister to come to terms with reality,' Olmert concluded. Short link : Post Views: 17
Leaders
13 hours ago
- Leaders
Western Allies Impose Sanctions on Israeli Ministers Over West Bank Violence
The foreign ministers of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway, and the United Kingdom issued a joint statement on Tuesday announcing coordinated sanctions and other measures targeting Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich for inciting violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. The five countries said the measures are a response to what they described as 'extremist rhetoric' and human rights abuses that have fueled settler violence, resulting in Palestinian deaths and the displacement of entire communities. Ben-Gvir and Smotrich Accusation 'Settler violence is incited by extremist rhetoric which calls for Palestinians to be driven from their homes, encourages violence and human rights abuses, and fundamentally rejects the two-state solution,' the ministers said. 'We are steadfastly committed to the two-state solution, which is the only way to guarantee security and dignity for Israelis and Palestinians and ensure long-term regional stability.' The statement directly accused Ben-Gvir and Smotrich—both far-right members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet—of inciting such violence and promoting policies that undermine prospects for peace. 'Extremist rhetoric advocating the forced displacement of Palestinians and the creation of new Israeli settlements is appalling and dangerous,' the ministers said. 'These actions are not acceptable.' Despite extensive diplomatic engagement with Israel, the governments said violent actors continue to operate with 'encouragement and impunity,' prompting the decision to act now. The foreign ministers stressed that the measures do not reflect a shift in their support for Israel's security. They reiterated condemnation of Hamas's attacks on Oct. 7 and emphasized their continued desire for strong ties with the Israeli people. The Joint Statement 'Today's measures are targeted towards individuals who, in our view, undermine Israel's own security and its standing in the world,' the statement said. The ministers also linked their concerns about West Bank violence to the broader humanitarian crisis in Gaza. 'We continue to be appalled by the immense suffering of civilians, including the denial of essential aid,' they said, calling for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and unimpeded humanitarian access. 'There must be no unlawful transfer of Palestinians from Gaza or within the West Bank, nor any reduction in the territory of the Gaza Strip,' the statement added. 'We want to see a reconstructed Gaza no longer run by Hamas and a political pathway to a two-state solution.' Short link : Post Views: 16
Leaders
13 hours ago
- Leaders
UPDATED: Ten Killed in Austrian School Shooting in Graz
Ten people died on Tuesday after a suspected shooter opened fire in a school in the southeastern Austrian city of Graz, the local mayor was quoted as saying. An attack at a school in the Austrian city of Graz killed at least ten people and injured others on June 10, according to Austrian media including tabloid Kronen Zeitung. The police said that the attack took place in a street called Dreierschuetzengasse, on which there is a secondary school, Sky News reported. Austrian state media ORF also noted that many people are suffering serious injuries, including students and teachers. Moreover, authorities confirmed that the attack started nearly 10:00 a.m. after gunfire was reported inside a school building. As a response, the police cordoned off the area and urged the public to stay away until the situation stabilizes. The attacker is believed to have been a student at the school and is also said to have committed suicide. Injured students are being cared for at the nearby Helmut List Hall, BBC reported. Police spokesperson Fritz Grundnig told ORF that 'there may be fatalities.' Currently, officers are inspecting the premises and have not yet disclosed any further details on the incident. Related Topics: Mexican Navy Ship Collides with Brooklyn Bridge, Killing 2 Crew Members UN Rights Office: 36 Israeli Raids in Gaza Killed 'Only Women and Children' Car Crashes into Crowd at Liverpool Parade, Injuring 45 People Short link : Post Views: 98 Related Stories
