Report Highlights Increase in Arrests of Palestinian Journalists Since Early 2026

Report Highlights Increase in Arrests of Palestinian Journalists Since Early 2026
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The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate reported a rise in arrests of Palestinian journalists since the start of 2026, documenting 22 cases, including four female journalists, amid increasing restrictions on media activity in the Palestinian territories.

According to the syndicate’s Freedoms Committee of the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate, journalists were detained through home raids, arrests at military checkpoints, or while covering events in the field. Some were also placed under administrative detention without formal charges, with orders ranging from four to six months.

The report recorded 13 arrests in January, seven in February, and two more since the beginning of March. Among those detained were journalists Inas Khalawi, Bushra al-Taweel, photojournalist Nisreen Salem, and Nawal Hijazi.

Arrests were reported in several cities, including Jerusalem, Ramallah, Hebron, Tulkarm, Nablus, and Jenin. The committee said the arrests reflect growing pressure on press freedom and called for protection of journalists’ rights to work without intimidation.