GAZA: A London-based media outlet has announced the release of one of its Palestinian journalists from Israeli custody, saying he faced torture during the detention. Diaa al-Kahlout, had been freed back into the Palestinian territory, Arab media reported on Wednesday.
In a report on its website, Kahlout said he had faced “indescribably difficult and tough” conditions after his arrest. He said he had been tortured and beaten.
“The moment I was arrested, Israeli forces crowded round me… before they suppressed me with tape so I couldn’t talk.”
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has also said following his arrest Kahlout was briefly held in Eshel jail in Israel and was subjected to torture.
Meanwhile, the health ministry in Gaza said more than 23,210 Palestinians mostly women and children, have been killed in Gaza in the ongoing Israeli strikes since October 7.
Palestinian Journalist Released from Israeli Custody was Abused: Report
The ministry said in a statement that it had recorded 126 deaths in the past 24 hours. The ministry also reported that 59,167 people have been wounded in the Gaza Strip during more than three months of relentless Israeli bombardments.
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The city of Khan Younis in Gaza has witnessed intensified fighting, both from air raids and ground operations. Recent reports indicate the destruction of a high-rise building, the Al-Fara Tower, a 12-story structure with both commercial and residential components. The devastating impact extended to at least 10 surrounding residential homes, causing severe damage.
Similarly, in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian Prisoners Society reported that at least 25 Palestinians have been detained, bringing the total number of arrests by Israeli forces since October 7 to 5,755. This includes 190 women and 335 children. Notably, 50 journalists are among those detained, with 20 held under administrative detention without charges or trial.
