Israeli Abuse of Palestinian Journalists Documented in CPJ Report
A new report by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) details allegations of widespread torture, sexual violence and abuse of Palestinian journalists by Israeli forces while in detention. The report, based on interviews with 59 Palestinian journalists, alleges systematic targeting of reporters due to their work, with many held under Israel’s administrative detention system without charge.
Report Findings: Torture and Abuse
The CPJ report documents a pattern of abuse including physical assaults, forced stress positions, sensory deprivation, sexual violence, and medical neglect. Journalist Sami al-Sai, reporting for Al Jazeera Mubasher and Al-Fajer TV, alleged he was subjected to sexual assault with batons and other objects while detained in Megiddo prison. [CPJ Report]
Other journalists detailed experiences of beatings, shackling, and prolonged interrogation. Shadi Abu Sido, a journalist from Gaza working for Palestine Today, reported being beaten by soldiers at al-Shifa hospital upon his arrest in March 2024, resulting in a broken rib. [CPJ Report] Mohammad al-Atrash, a radio journalist, described a coordinated assault at Ofer prison, referred to by detainees as a “Shin Bet party” or a “Ben-Gvir party,” involving the use of dogs and instruments intended to inflict lasting injuries. [CPJ Report]
Eleven journalists reported being subjected to a torture method termed “ghost hanging,” where individuals are suspended by their arms and pulled upward. [CPJ Report]
Physical Deterioration and Weight Loss
The report highlights the severe physical toll on detained journalists. Fifty-five of the 59 interviewed reported extreme hunger or malnutrition, with an average weight loss of 23.5kg (52 pounds) among the group. Journalist Ahmed Shaqoura lost 54kg during 14 months in Israeli custody. [CPJ Report] Mohammad Badr reported losing 40kg over 10 months of incarceration. [CPJ Report]
Administrative Detention and Lack of Charges
A majority – 48 of the 59 journalists interviewed – were held under Israel’s administrative detention system, allowing for indefinite detention without charge. [CPJ Report]
Official Responses and Previous Allegations
The Israeli prison service (IPS) and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have strongly rejected the allegations. The IDF stated it “completely rejects allegations regarding the systematic abuse of detainees, including allegations of sexual abuse.” [CPJ Report]
These allegations follow earlier reports of abuse. In December 2025, German journalist Anne Liedtke, detained on a Gaza-bound flotilla, alleged rape by Israeli soldiers. Italian journalist Vincenzo Fullone and Australian activist Surya McEwen made similar accusations. [CPJ Report]
In early 2025, leaked surveillance footage from Sde Teiman detention camp appeared to show soldiers sexually assaulting detainees, triggering a national scandal. [CPJ Report]
Broader Context: Journalist Casualties and Targeting of Families
As of February 20, 2026, at least 252 journalists have been killed in the Gaza war, according to the CPJ. [Wikipedia] the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate reports that Israeli forces have killed at least 706 family members of Palestinian journalists since October 2023, alleging a deliberate strategy to silence reporting. [Al Jazeera] The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) notes that Palestinian journalists are the primary witnesses to events in Gaza due to Israel’s restrictions on foreign media access. [IFJ]