The Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA) expressed deep concern over the deterioration of media freedoms in the Gaza Strip during the past few days, particularly since the beginning of armed clashes between police and supporters of the Soldiers of Allah in Ibn Taymiyah ,and the surrounding area, in Rafah city,

on Friday (14 August), where the Ministry of Interior of the dismissed Government banned photographers and cameramen from covering events, or entering hospitals, through the announcement of the city of Rafah, and the hospitals closed areas to the media and journalists.

France Press photographer Said al-Khateeb said that he and a number of photographers and cameramen were prevented from filming after the outbreak of the clashes on Friday, yesterday and today in the Ibn Taymiyah mosque area, they told them that the area is dangerous there.

Also a group of the security services came to the Reuters office in Gaza city on Friday (14 August), after publishing of Abdul Latif Musa speech, in which he announced the establishing of the Islamic Emirate, and the first clashes that followed, which was filmed by its cameramen, and asked the employees to handed them the tape, but they told them that the Agency’s policy does not allow such thing, then they left the office.

In addition the Interior Ministry issued a statement yesterday accusing the Arabeya TV of broadcasting a report about the events, fill of lies and slander, and harm to the Palestinian resistance.

MADA condemns those actions and the intimidation of journalists, which is a crude violation of freedom of opinion and expression, and demands the dismissed government to stop it.