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// DOSSIER — detention-palestinian-american-journalist-naqaa-hamed
Detention of Palestinian-American Journalist Naqaa Hamed by Israeli Authorities
REL_TIME: 22 Sep 2026 07:12Z · LANG: EN
Naqaa Hamed, a 38-year-old Palestinian-American freelance journalist and contributor to Drop Site News and Turkish broadcaster TRT, was detained by Israeli forces at a checkpoint near Tuqu, Bethlehem, while returning from covering settler attacks in Masafer Yatta. Her arrest follows weeks of targeted incitement by Israeli settlers in Hebrew media and Telegram channels over her reporting on the siege of Qusra. While Israeli authorities and military sources have cited suspicions of espionage, incitement, trading with an enemy entity, and support for Iran, press freedom advocates such as the Committee to Protect Journalists have condemned the unsubstantiated charges and demanded her immediate release.
// Background
Hamed's detention occurs amidst a broader surge in arrests targeting journalists in the occupied West Bank, with the Palestinian Prisoners Society reporting that nearly 40 journalists have been detained by Israeli forces since the escalation of the conflict in Gaza. Over half of these reporters are held under administrative detention, which allows for indefinite imprisonment without trial or formal charges. Hamed, a native of Beitin, had previously contributed to international outlets such as Drop Site News, documenting Israeli settlement expansion and settler-led violence.
// Key Developments
- Naqaa Hamed, a dual Palestinian-American citizen and mother of three, was detained at a military checkpoint in Tuqu, Bethlehem.
- Hamed was returning from a reporting assignment covering Israeli settler attacks in Masafer Yatta for Turkish broadcaster TRT.
- Israeli military and police sources claim Hamed is investigated for espionage, incitement, trading with the enemy, and supporting Iran.
- Colleagues and family report the arrest followed online incitement from Israeli settlers regarding her coverage of the village of Qusra.
- The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the Palestinian Prisoners Society have condemned the detention as an effort to criminalize journalism.
// Timeline
-
Israeli settlers target Hamed on Telegram and Hebrew media with incitement following her coverage of the siege of Qusra.
-
Hamed and her crew are stopped at a military checkpoint in Tuqu, Bethlehem; soldiers interrogate her and take her into custody with her electronic devices.
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News outlets report Hamed spent the night in custody facing interrogation over her journalism; her family contacts the U.S. embassy.
-
CPJ publicly demands Hamed's immediate release as Israeli police confirm investigations into alleged espionage and support for Iran.
// Perspectives
[Israeli Authorities and Police]
Maintain that Hamed is under legitimate investigation for espionage, incitement, trading with an enemy entity, and supporting Iran due to alleged ties to Iranian media.
[Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)]
Condemns the detention, arguing that unsubstantiated espionage allegations are being used to criminalize journalism and intimidate reporters in the West Bank.
[Hamed's Colleagues and Family]
Contend that the detention is retaliation directly stemming from online settler campaigns targeting her reporting on West Bank violence.
[Palestinian Prisoners Society]
Views the arrest as part of a systematic campaign to silence Palestinian media and suppress coverage of events in the occupied territories.
// Quotes
“It was three female soldiers who ushered our car to stop. They demanded we hand over our identification cards and they photographed each ID as well as took our pictures.”
“Unsubstantiated espionage allegations must not be used to criminalize journalism, and the systemic harassment and intimidation targeting her work in the occupied West Bank must end.”
“The targeting of Palestinian journalists is part of a systematic policy aimed at erasing the truth and suppressing the Palestinian narrative.”
