Ramallah – 11th August 2026: The Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA) condemns the arrest of freelance journalist ALAA YOUSEF SARAHNEH (42 years old) by Israeli occupation forces in the early hours of Monday, August 10, 2026, following a raid on his home in the Al-Fawwar refugee camp south of the city of Hebron, during which the premises were searched, his belongings rifled through, and a number of his possessions damaged.
According to a statement given to MADA by the journalist's wife, FIDA GHATTASHA, an Israeli army force stormed the Al-Fawwar camp at approximately 2:00AM and made its way to SARAHNEH's home, where soldiers pounded violently on the door. As soon as the journalist opened it, the soldiers attacked him and forced him to sit on the ground in a violent manner.
During the raid on the house, the soldiers confined his wife and their three children to the living room and demanded she bring her personal identity card and that of her husband; one soldier photographed her as she held the two ID cards. At the same time, another unit began searching the house and rifling through its contents, throwing clothing and belongings onto the floor, with a number of items being damaged in the process.
The search lasted approximately 15 minutes, during which journalist SARAHNEH was held at the home's outer entrance. Afterward, members of the force handcuffed him, blindfolded him, and confiscated his personal phone, before taking him away to an unknown location.
MADA affirms that the arrest of journalists, the raiding of their homes, their detention, and the confiscation of their work tools constitute a violation of their right to practice their profession freely, and undermine the public's right to access information, particularly given the conditions under which Palestinian journalists operate.
The Center expresses its deep concern for the health condition of journalist ALAA SARAHNEH, who suffers from chronic illnesses, including high blood pressure and diabetes, and requires regular medical follow-up and care. It further expresses concern that, as of the time of this statement's preparation, his family remains unaware of his whereabouts or condition.
MADA calls on the occupation forces to immediately disclose the location where journalist ALAA SARAHNEH is being held, to guarantee his physical and psychological safety, to enable him to receive the medical care he needs, and to disclose the reasons for his arrest while ensuring his legal rights are upheld.
The Center further renews its call on the international community and relevant international institutions concerned with press freedom and human rights to shoulder their responsibilities regarding the ongoing violations against Palestinian journalists, and to work toward ensuring their protection and enabling them to carry out their work free from threat, arrest, or intimidation.
