Latest news with #NasserLaham
UAE Moments
6 days ago
- Politics
- UAE Moments
Israeli Forces Detain Veteran Journalist in West Bank
Israeli forces have detained Nasser Laham, a prominent Palestinian journalist, during an overnight raid in Al Duha, near Bethlehem. According to local media, the raid damaged his home. Laham is the editor-in-chief of Ma'an news agency and heads the West Bank operations for Lebanon's Al Mayadeen channel. He is expected to face a military court hearing on Thursday. Part of Ongoing Crackdown on Journalists Laham's arrest comes amid an ongoing Israeli crackdown on Palestinian journalists, which intensified after the Gaza war began in 2023. Rights groups and press freedom advocates have condemned these arrests, saying they endanger journalists' safety and freedom of speech. Dozens of Journalists Still Detained According to Wafa news agency, 55 Palestinian journalists are currently held in Israeli prisons, with 49 arrested since the Gaza conflict started. Other cases include journalist Ali Al Samoudi, who remains in detention and is reportedly not receiving adequate medical care.
The National
07-07-2025
- Politics
- The National
Israeli forces detain veteran Palestinian journalist in occupied West Bank raid
Israeli forces detained veteran Palestinian journalist Nasser Laham in the occupied West Bank on Monday, the Ma'an news agency reported. He was detained overnight in the village of Al Duha, near Bethlehem, in a raid that caused damage to his house, the agency added. Mr Laham is editor-in-chief of Ma'an and also manages the West Bank operation of Lebanon's Al Mayadeen channel. He is expected to appear in front of a military court on Thursday, the Wafa news agency reported. The Israeli military said in a statement on Monday that soldiers "apprehended a wanted individual in Bethlehem. The wanted individual was transferred to the Israel police for further processing". Mr Laham's detention is the latest episode in Israel's crackdown on journalists in the occupied West Bank, which has accelerated since the start of the Gaza war in 2023. The death of journalist Shireen Abu Akleh by an Israeli soldier during a raid in Jenin in 2022 sparked widespread condemnation of Israel's actions in Palestine, as well as calls for journalists to be protected. Al Quds newspaper reporter Ali Al Samoudi, who has also worked for international outlets including CNN and Reuters, remains in detention after being held by the Israeli military during a raid in the West Bank city. His family and legal team say he is not being given sufficient medication to manage severe health conditions. Israel's military said he was 'identified with the Islamic Jihad' militant group. Fifty-five Palestinian journalists are being held in Israeli prisons, 49 of whom have been detained since the Gaza war began, Wafa said. Israel banned Qatari outlet Al Jazeera from operating in the country last year, saying its broadcasts endangered national security. The Palestinian Authority, which governs parts of the West Bank, banned the network in January, but the measure was lifted by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in May.
Middle East Eye
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Israeli military arrests Palestinian editor in chief in West Bank
The Israeli military arrested the editor in chief of the Palestinian Ma'an news agency, Dr Nasser Laham, this morning at his home in the village of Al-Duheisha, near Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank, the agency said. "Israeli forces arrested journalist Dr Nasser Laham after storming his home in Bethlehem. His home was entirely ransacked and electronic devices and mobile phones were confiscated," a message posted on his Meta page said. Laham also serves as the manager of the Lebanese channel Al-Mayadeen's offices in the West Bank. He is expected to be brought to Ofer military court on Thursday for a hearing on the extension of his detention, according to Haaretz.
