IDF Detains Palestinian-American Journalist Working for Iranian Channel

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) arrested Palestinian-American journalist Nidaa Hamed on Tuesday evening at a makeshift checkpoint near Tuqu', southeast of Bethlehem. Hamed works for the Iranian channel Press TV, which also operates a news feed in Hebrew on Telegram. IDF sources told Ynet that there is evidence indicating her cooperation with the enemy and that she is being investigated on suspicion of espionage.

The Iranian network reported the arrest, quoting one of Hamed's colleagues who stated that she was traveling with a camera crew when Israeli forces stopped them. According to the colleague, the crew was searched, after which Hamed was detained while the photographers were released. Hamed's family stated she was arrested on her way back from covering alleged harm to Palestinians in the West Bank.

Relatives accused Hamed of being targeted by a smear campaign from Israeli platforms due to her coverage of events in the village of Qusra. Press TV added context to her work with Israeli security forces, noting that Hamed was previously injured in December while reporting live from the Qalandia refugee camp, after Israeli forces fired rubber bullets.