Palestinian journalists and doctors in the Gaza Strip are calling on international and human rights organizations to take immediate action for the release of their colleagues detained in Israeli occupation prisons. These calls come in light of increasing violations against them, especially after the Israeli Knesset approved the "Death Penalty for Prisoners" law, which threatens the lives of many.
These demands were made during two simultaneous protests in Gaza City, where the "Palestinian Journalists Forum" held a demonstration in front of the International Committee of the Red Cross headquarters, while the Ministry of Health organized another protest at the Shifa Medical Complex. These events are part of commemorating Palestinian Prisoners' Day, observed on April 17 each year.
Details of the Protests
At the first protest, participants raised banners demanding the release of imprisoned journalists, with slogans such as "Free the imprisoned journalists... Let the truth breathe" and "Freedom for journalists imprisoned in Israeli occupation prisons." There was a strong emphasis on the need for international protection for media workers and stopping their targeting during ongoing military operations in the region.
Mohammad Yassin, director of the "Palestinian Journalists Forum," stated that this event reflects a renewed commitment to the truth, stressing that the continued detention of journalists constitutes a blatant violation of international laws that guarantee the protection of journalists during conflicts. He pointed out that the Palestinian voice and image will remain present despite the occupation's attempts to silence them.
Background & Context
According to the government media office in Gaza, approximately 262 journalists have been killed since October 2023, the latest being Al Jazeera Mubasher correspondent Mohammad Washah. Yassin also noted that around 40 to 50 journalists are still detained, facing harsh conditions of torture and mistreatment.
Freed journalist Imad Al-Ifranji spoke about his experience in detention, describing the conditions in Israeli prisons as "harsh and degrading." He emphasized the importance of intensifying media and political efforts to support prisoners, especially journalists who are targeted for their role in conveying the truth.
Impact & Consequences
At the second protest, the Ministry of Health displayed a banner indicating that 362 medical staff have been arrested during the war on Gaza, with around 83 still in custody. The Director General of the Ministry of Health, Munir Al-Barsh, warned of the dangerous conditions faced by detainees, citing torture, mistreatment, and deliberate medical neglect.
Al-Barsh condemned what he described as a "systematic targeting" of medical staff, whether during their work or after their arrest, asserting that the detention of doctors and paramedics and the killing of some within detention centers represents a "double crime" against the healthcare system.
Regional Significance
Concerns are growing over the escalating violations against journalists and doctors in the Palestinian territories, especially following the enactment of the death penalty law. Yasmin Al-Barsh, the wife of doctor Adnan Al-Barsh, recounted the details of his arrest and martyrdom in Israeli prisons, calling for the release of his detained body.
On March 30, 2023, the Israeli Knesset passed a law allowing the imposition of the death penalty on prisoners accused of deliberately killing Israelis. This move comes at a time when human rights organizations are indicating "catastrophic" conditions in Israeli prisons, raising further concerns about the fate of prisoners.