Israeli Forces Detain Iranian TV Journalist Near Bethlehem

Israeli forces arrested a journalist working for Iran's state-run Press TV near Bethlehem in the West Bank on Tuesday, an Israeli military source confirmed to The Jerusalem Post on Wednesday. The journalist, identified by Press TV as Naqqa Hamed, is reportedly a Palestinian-American correspondent for the English-language channel. According to Press TV, Hamed was traveling with a film crew when Israeli forces stopped them at a checkpoint and conducted a search. Her cameraman was reportedly released, but Hamed remained in detention. An Israeli military source clarified that she was transferred to police custody, not the Shin Bet security agency, contrary to Iranian media reports. Press TV claims the arrest followed an online campaign against its correspondent, with some internet users questioning her ability to work for an official Iranian outlet in Area B of the West Bank without interference. The Iranian channel accused its critics of attempting psychological and media pressure to hinder her work. Press TV also stated that Hamed had previously encountered Israeli forces while reporting in Qalandia.