‘Organized, illegal, aggressive’: Press TV condemns abduction of West Bank journalist Naqaa Hamed by Israeli forces

Press TV has condemned the abduction of its West Bank correspondent, Naqaa Hamed, by Israeli occupation forces, describing the act as an organized, illegal, and aggressive terrorist operation aimed at silencing the truth.

In a statement, the Iran-based news network vehemently denounced the detention of the prominent and courageous journalist, demanding her immediate, unconditional, and safe release.

"Press TV strongly and vehemently condemns the organized, illegal, and aggressive abduction of its prominent and courageous field correspondent, Ms. Naqaa Hamed, in the West Bank by the occupying forces of the Zionist regime," the statement read.

The statement detailed that Hamed, an educated Palestinian-American woman, wife, and mother of three, was arbitrarily abducted and transferred to an unknown location on September 15, 2026.

The incident occurred while she was traveling with her media team at a checkpoint near the Tuqu' settlement southeast of Bethlehem, following a biased search and her forced separation from the camera crew.

A pattern of intimidation

The statement emphasized that this abduction is the culmination of a continuous, targeted campaign of intimidation and life-threatening actions against the journalist.

"This hostile approach was previously accompanied by the direct firing of rubber bullets at her during live reporting from Qalandia camp in December 2025, and her subsequent re-injury by stun grenades and tear gas in August 2026," the statement noted.

Following these physical attacks, Hamed was subjected to a vicious cyber smear campaign beginning in late August 2026.

The story of Naqaa Hamed, Press TV’s West Bank correspondent abducted by Israeli regime forces

Press TV’s West Bank correspondent Naqaa Hamed, a Palestinian-American journalist, was abducted by Israeli occupation forces amid escalating harassment, smear campaigns and repeated targeting over her coverage of Israeli military raids and settler attacks.

Accounts affiliated with the Israeli regime, including "Mossad Commentary," "DeepState Illuminate," and "Israel News Pulse," targeted her on social media, falsely labeling her an "agent of propaganda in Israel’s backyard" and part of "Iran’s media influence."

Press TV stated these fabrications were designed to create the psychological and field justification for this terrorist operation, aiming to "close the truth-seeing eye of Press TV, which was reflecting the realities of the besieged and occupied Palestinian communities under genocide and aggression."

Violations of international law

The statement reminded the international community that this savage behavior constitutes a clear and unforgivable violation of fundamental international law.

Press TV cited Article 79 of Additional Protocol I to the four Geneva Conventions regarding the full immunity of civilian journalists in conflict zones, UN Security Council Resolutions 2222 and 1738 on the protection of media personnel, and Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Israel’s detention, harassment of journalists an assault on truth: Political analyst

Mohammad al-Qeeq, writer and political analyst, says the Israeli regime’s detention and harassment of Palestinian journalists in the occupied West Bank are part of a broader effort to intimidate the press.

"The desperate attempt by the Zionist war and security machine to block the flow of free news and boycott structured crimes in the West Bank is clear evidence of the occupiers' fear of independent camera lenses and the committed pen of reporters who expose widespread humanitarian rights violations," the statement added.

Call for immediate action

Press TV placed full legal responsibility for Hamed’s physical and mental well-being on the occupying Israeli army.

The network called upon the United Nations, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression, and international human rights institutions to emerge from their "shell of inaction and meaningful silence" and take immediate measures to end the policy of forced disappearances of journalists.

"Press TV will resolutely continue its legal and international follow-ups with relevant authorities until the full release of its colleague and the accountability of the commanders and perpetrators of this crime," the statement concluded.

"As long as responsible institutions remain in a shell of silence and inaction, Naqaa Hamed will not be the first, nor the last, journalist to be targeted by the illegal actions of the Zionist regime. But everyone will see that under any circumstances, the chains of authoritarian regimes will not prevent the echo of the voice of truth."

Despite mounting international concern, an Israeli occupation court has extended the detention of journalist Naqaa Hamed until September 23.

She was initially arrested at the Tuqu' checkpoint in Bethlehem last Tuesday, following weeks of intense incitement against her by Israeli settlers.

According to colleagues traveling with her, including a cameraman for Turkey’s TRT network, Israeli forces stopped their vehicle, forced the journalists to sit on the ground for 45 minutes, and separated Hamed for interrogation regarding her journalistic work.

Her mobile phone and laptop were subsequently confiscated before she was transferred to an undisclosed detention facility.

The 38-year-old journalist, originally from the village of Beitin in northeastern Ramallah, holds dual Palestinian and American citizenship.

A graduate of Birzeit University with a master's degree in contemporary Arab thought, Hamed has over 15 years of experience covering political and humanitarian crises, with a specific focus on Israeli settler-colonialism.

She joined Press TV in 2024, quickly distinguishing herself through her exclusive, field-based reporting on the steadfastness of ordinary Palestinians.

Despite her American citizenship, Hamed’s family has received no response after contacting the US Embassy in occupied Al-Quds regarding her detention.

Meanwhile, Israeli media outlet Ynet, citing anonymous military sources, has baselessly claimed Hamed is "suspected of cooperating with an enemy entity and may also be suspected of espionage."

Anti-Iran propaganda outlet Iran International has similarly amplified these unfounded allegations without providing any evidence.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk