Al Jazeera journalist detained by Palestinian Authority

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A well-known journalist from Al Jazeera was detained by the Palestinian Authority (PA) on January 19th, according to local media, while covering day one of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, the Middle East Eye reported.

Quds Network reported that Givara Budeiri, along with her cameraperson, were during their reporting on the anticipated release of Palestinian detainees under a prisoner exchange deal.

The two were taken to the Palestinian Preventive Security’s (PPS) Beitunia police HQ, which is near Ramallah.

Before her arrest, Budeiri had been live on Al Jazeera Arabic from outside Israel’s Ofer prison in the occupied West Bank. 

Budeiri was following preparations for the liberation of 90 Palestinian prisoners, which was anticipated to be 69 women and 21 children.

Al Jazeera Arabic said on X: “Palestinian police prevent colleague Givara Budeiri from continuing to cover the release of female prisoners from Israeli occupation prisons.”

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According to the truce agreement, the first phase will span across six weeks and involve the exchange of 33 Israeli captives for about 1,800 Palestinian prisoners and will restore “sustainable calm.”

Hamas released three Israeli captives—Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher, and Emily Damari, a dual British citizen—on the afternoon of January 19th. 

The captives were handed over to the Red Cross in Gaza City and later reunited with their families in Israel.

By the evening of January 19th, Israeli authorities had not yet freed the 90 Palestinian prisoners, leaving their families waiting outside Ofer prison. 

Among those released on January 19th, was Khalida Jarrar, a leading member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP).

For this exchange, the Israeli military implemented stringent measures to prevent gatherings outside Ofer prison, which differed from previous prisoner exchanges.

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Palestinians were warned against gathering close to the prison yard or approach whilst in their vehicles, with consecutive warnings issued so that the area stays clear. Raids were also carried out on the homes of prisoners that would be released.

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The Democratic Press Conference, which is a Palestinian journalists’ union, criticised the Palestinian Authority for arresting Givara Budeiri and her cameraperson.

“These practices constitute a clear violation of the freedom of the press and media guaranteed by law,” the group said. 

The group added: “This behavior is completely unacceptable, especially in light of a major national event represented by the release of female prisoners from Israeli occupation prisons.”

The group also said: “We call for respecting the rights of journalists, protecting them, and stopping all violations against them.”

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Earlier this month, the PA halted the broadcasting of Al Jazeera TV in the West Bank, claiming that the publication has published “inciting material.” 

A ministerial committee accused the network of breaking “laws and regulations in force in Palestine”, and said that it “decided to temporarily stop the broadcast and freeze all the work of its journalists, employees, crews and channels affiliated with it.”

“This decision came after Al Jazeera insisted on broadcasting inciteful materials and reports characterised by being misleading, inciting sedition, and interference in Palestinian internal affairs,” the committee said.

In May, Israel banned Al Jazeera after raiding its office in occupied East Jerusalem and seizing its equipment. 

A similar incident occurred in September in Ramallah, where Israeli forces raided its Al Jazeera office and ordered the network to cease operations.

Middle East Eye

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